Manfredi Malaspina, marchese di Filattiera (1720-1787)

Manfredi Malaspina was born in 1720, the son of Marquis Bernabò Malaspina, Marquis of Filattiera e di Terrarossa, and Vittoria Ricciardi.  The Malaspina family traced their noble origins back to the 10th century and had originally controlled much of the Lunigiana region of North Italy (approximately half-way between Genoa and Florence).   The family was extensive and divided into multiple branches because of their custom of sharing the inheritance between all the sons.  The Malaspinas of Filattiera took their name from the town of that name, where they had their seat.  In the 16th century, they effectively lost control of this fief to the De’ Medici (though this was only formalised in the early  years of the following century), but they retained the title and were prominent in the Tuscan court at Florence.

In 1752 Manfredi married Maria Vittoria Ginori, for which occasion a commemorative medal was struck in bronze.  He succeeded his father as marquis in 1761.  At his own death in 1787, he left only a daughter, Vittoria Luisa (born in 1754), and so the title died with him.

In the 18th century, several members of the family played a notable part in the cultural life of Tuscany.  Manfredi’s uncle, Marcello, was a noted politician and poet.  Marcello’s sister, Matilde, also wrote poetry and was married to Francesco Feroni.  Their salon was a meeting place for many literary figures, attracting both native Florentines and those who were merely passing through the city.   Manfredi himself seems to have patronised the arts and was honoured in the dedication of several books and pamphlets.