Montferrat

Montferrat, formerly an independent duchy of Italy, between Piedmont, Milan, and Genoa, now forming part of the kingdom of Italy. It consisted of two separate portions, both lying between the Maritime Alps and the Po, and having a united area of over 1300 sq. m. The capital was Casale. After the downfall of the Frankish empire, Montferrat was ruled by its own marquises till the beginning of the 14th century. This house sent its most illustrious sons to take part in the Crusades, especially Conrad, the defender of Tyre against Saladin, and the competitor with Guy de Lusignan for the crown of Jerusalem; and Boniface, who became ruler of Thessalia. Iolande or Irene, sister and heiress of the last male of the house, was empress of Constantinople; her second son became the founder of the family of Montferrat-Palæologus, which became extinct in 1533, and Montferrat then passed to the Gonzagas of Mantua. In 1631 the Dukes of Savoy obtained a portion of Montferrat, and in 1703 the remaining portion.