Barons, Warriors, Exiles: The Anguillara Main Branch and the Pope’s Defeat

As with almost all medieval noble families, the origins of the dell’Anguillara house are shrouded in mystery. Their place of origin can be traced back to the town of the same name on Lake Bracciano, Anguillara Sabazia. With the Western Schism, the chaos in the Papal States (Patrimonio di San Pietro) allowed members of this family to expand into neighboring lands. The house thus became a powerful baronial dynasty that dominated northern Lazio. Its members held the title of Counts and took control of the lordship (signoria) over numerous strategic fortresses (rocche) and fiefdoms in the Roman countryside (agro romano), including Anguillara Sabazia, Capranica, Cerveteri, Caprarola, Vetralla, and Ronciglione. Its condottieri (military captains), like those of its two related branches, active between the 14th and 16th centuries, are all known for their military audacity and their complex relations with the papacy and other great families like the Orsini.

In this regard, it is characteristic that its most significant representatives, such as Everso dell’Anguillara and Renzo di Ceri, are often called Everso Orsini and Lorenzo Orsini, respectively, by contemporary sources. The fate of the condottieri in the various branches differed: the main line soon ended its presence with the death of Everso’s son, Deifobo dell’Anguillara, whose fiefs were confiscated by Pope Innocent VII and entrusted to his natural son, Franceschetto Cybo. The Stabbia branch continued in its feud of Cerreto Guidi, while Renzo di Ceri and his son Giampaolo di Ceri distinguished themselves in the Italian Wars of the first half of the 1500s, serving the King of France.

🌳 Genealogical Chart of the Main Anguillara Line

I. The Main Branch: Everso, Dolce, and the Peak of Baronage

This family line held the greatest feudal power in Lazio. Everso was its principal representative.

1. EVERSO DELL’ANGUILLARA

Everso dell’Anguillara, sometimes mentioned as Everso Orsini, was a count and lord of Cerveteri, Anguillara Sabazia, Carbognano, Caprarola, Vetralla, and other vast lordships in Lazio. A capable condottiero, he proved himself above all to be a tyrant of the Roman countryside. Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini (Pope Pius II) described him as greedy for the possessions of others, blasphemous, and cruel: “It was as easy for him to kill a man as a sheep.” He was awarded the Order of the Ermine. c. 1398–1464 (September)

2. DOLCE DELL’ANGUILLARA

Dolce dell’Anguillara, count and lord of Anguillara Sabazia, was one of the most efficient captains who supported Francesco Sforza in the conquest of the Duchy of Milan. Wounded in the shoulder by a schioppetto (hand cannon) during the Siege of Monza, he was taken to Pavia where he died a few days later. 1401–1449 (March)

II. The Second Generation: Deifobo and the Exile

Deifobo dell’Anguillara represents the family’s transition from territorial lords to a dynasty of exiles and condottieri, especially serving the Republic of Venice.

3. DEIFOBO DELL’ANGUILLARA

A good captain. Upon the death of his father Everso, Pope Paul II, in 1464, ordered him to return certain territories to the Papal States. Upon his refusal, he was excommunicated and condemned in absentia. In just twelve days, the papal forces seized thirteen fortresses. He retreated to Venice, entering its service and distinguishing himself for his abilities. He married a Venetian woman in his second marriage and died in the territories of the Serenissima. d. 1490 (July)

4. GIACOMO DELL’ANGUILLARA

Giacomo dell’Anguillara, Deifobo’s son, served the Republic of Venice. With his brother Ascanio, he participated in the important Battle of Fornovo in 1495. His life ended tragically: in February 1501, having returned to Lazio “to reach his mother and a sister,” he died in Acquapendente from poisoning. d. 1501

III. Collateral Line: The Stabbia Branch

This family branch primarily operated in Northern Italy, serving the Duchy of Milan and the Venetians.

5. GIOVAMBATTISTA DELL’ANGUILLARA

Giovambattista dell’Anguillara, also known as Giovambattista da Stabbia, was the lord of Stabbia (Cerreto Guidi) in Tuscany. He was Everso dell’Anguillara’s cousin. A good condottiero. He served the papal forces and the Duchy of Milan. For the latter, in particular, he commanded the Sforza troops engaged against the Swiss in 1478. d. 1481 (December)

6. GIULIANO DELL’ANGUILLARA

Giuliano dell’Anguillara, Giovambattista’s son and lord of Stabbia. In 1478, serving the Duchy of Milan, he supported his father, who was sent to Friuli to aid the Venetians in countering the advance of the Turks in the region. His life was marked by a violent family drama in 1504, when his son Giovanni orchestrated the murder of his wife, Girolama Farnese. d. c. 1510

IV. COLLATERAL LINE: THE CERI BRANCH

7. GIOVANNI DI CERI

Giovanni di Ceri, Renzo’s father. He distinguished himself particularly in the struggles that bloodied Lazio, pitting the Orsini and Colonna families against each other with their respective allies. He died in 1510.

8. GIAMPAOLO DI CERI

Giampaolo di Ceri, Renzo’s son. A captain of great valor and experience. Highly esteemed by the King of France. His name is linked to the Battle of Gavinana, which featured Francesco Ferrucci (positively) and Fabrizio Maramaldo (negatively). Father of Lelio and Gerolama, a nun who joined the Order of the Poor Clares under the name Sister Chiara. Father-in-law of Giovanni Orsini and Silvio Savelli (who married his daughter Porzia). d. c. 1560

9. RENZO DI CERI

Renzo di Ceri, Giovanni’s son, father of Giampaolo. A great captain, the best among the numerous Italian condottieri who served the French in Italy and France. A specialist in the defense of cities and strongholds. He died near Rome from a fall from a horse during a hunting party. He married Lucrezia Orsini and, in a second marriage, Francesca Orsini, daughter of Gian Giordano. 1475–1536 (January)

10. GIAMPAOLO DI CERI

Like his father Renzo Giampaolo di Ceri, he served as a soldier in the pay of both the Serenissima (Republic of Venice) and the King of France. A captain of great valor and extensive experience, his name is linked to that of Francesco Ferrucci—beyond the wars in Piedmont against the Imperial forces—due to their shared participation in the Battle of Gavinana. He died without heirs, likely around 1560. With him, the Ceri branch of the Anguillara family became extinct.