Gonzaga

Gonzaga, a princely family which gave a line of dukes to Mantua and Montferrat. The sway of this race over Mantua extended over a period of three centuries, and many of its members were magnificent promoters and cultivators of arts, science, and literature. The Gonzagas gradually monopolised all the chief posts of command, both civil and military; in 1432 they were invested with the title and jurisdiction of hereditary marquisates, and in 1530 with that of dukes or sovereigns of the state. After their elevation to ducal dignity they were the faithful champions of the imperial interests in their policy with other states. The House of Gonzaga and that of the Visconti Dukes of Milan were perpetually at war (see MANTUA). The marquisate was granted to Giovanni Francesco in 1433. The tenth and last Duke of Mantua, Ferdinando Carlo, who had countenanced the French in the War of the Succession, was deprived by the Emperor Joseph I. of his states, and placed under the ban of the empire. He died in exile in 1708, leaving no issue.—A branch of the family ruled Guastalla till 1746.