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Angelo Simonetta
Signore di Lacchiarella
(1392–1472)

Biographical

Signore di Lacchiarella 1458–72† (fief)
Signore di Casteggio 1466/70–72† (fief)
Signore di Gamalero 1470–72† (fief)
Signore del vicariato di Belgioioso (fief)
Signore di Oviglio (fief) 1450

Ducal councillor to Francesco Sforza of Milan, Simonetta was a native of Calabria and entered the service of Francesco Sforza in 1420, probably after Sforza's military expedition to Calabria to support the Anjou.  At that time, Simonetta was administering the fiefdom of Countess Polissena dei Ruffo, future wife of Francesco. He was sent to Tuscany and Venice as ambassador in 1436 to negotiate agreements on behalf of Sforza, and he then settled in the Veneto. Simonetta gained citizenship of Venice in 1437, and enjoyed good relations with the nobles of Verona and Padua. In 1441 he was granted citizenship of Verona. After 1443 he moved to Milan. He was made chief secretary to Duke Francesco Sforza in 1450, and between 1451 and 1455, he was granted citizenship in Milan and all of the cities within its domain. He was granted citizenship in Ancona in 1456, and also in Florence. The Duke granted to him the lands of the vicariate of Belgioioso, Oviglio, and Lacchiarella. He enjoyed tax exemptions and many privileges which extended to his family, accumulating much wealth and becoming a lender to the Sforza. He purchased a large estate in San Marcellino in 1455. In 1466 he bought the land of Casteggio and received investiture as fief holder in 1470. After the death of his son Gentile, he was invested with the fiefdom of Gamalero in 1470. In his will, he bestowed the fiefdom to his grandsons Pierfrancesco and Cecchino. Cecchino fell into disgrace, and the fiefdom returned to the duchy of Milan.

Place of birth: Policastro, Calabria
Place of death: Milan
Place of burial: Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, Milan

Son of Gentile and an unknown woman, and brother of Margherita. Married to Francesca della Scala in 1441.

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