William VIII, Marquis of Montferrat
William VIII, Marquis of Montferrat | |
|---|---|
| Marquis of Montferrat | |
| Reign | 1464–1483 |
| Predecessor | John IV Palaiologos |
| Successor | Boniface III Palaiologos |
| Born | 19 July 1420 Casale Monferrato |
| Died | 27 February 1483 (aged 62) Casale Monferrato |
| Noble family | Palaeologus-Montferrat |
| Spouse(s) |
Marie de Foix
(m. 1465; died 1468)Elisabetta Sforza
(m. 1469; died 1472)Bernarde de Brosse (m. 1474) |
| Issue | by Marie Giovanna of Montferrat by Elisabetta Blanche of Montferrat illegitimate Annibale Lucrezia Margherita |
| Father | John Jacob, Marquis of Montferrat |
| Mother | Joanna of Savoy |
William VIII Palaiologos (Italian: Guglielmo VIII Paleologo; 19 July 1420 – 27 February 1483) was the Marquis of Montferrat from 1464 until his death.
He was the second son of Marquis John Jacob and Joanna of Savoy, daughter of Amadeus VI of Savoy.
William inherited the Marquisate after the death of his elder brother John IV. He obtained, by Emperor Frederick III, the territories lost to Savoy from 1435. William served as condottiero for Francesco I Sforza of Milan and fought alongside him at the battle of Caravaggio(1448) and was afterwards rewarded with the lordship of Alessandria.
In 1449, William was accused of treachery and imprisoned by Francesco Sforza. The reason was said to because he had formed an attachment to Sforza's wife Bianca Maria Visconti. He was released a year later. Angry over his treatment by Sforza, William encouraged his brother John IV of Montferrat and relative Louis of Savoy to make war on Sforza (and Milan), and then he himself would lead the troops in battle. This attempt failed.
William later became a tutor to the couple's son Galeazzo Maria. Following his assassination, William held several positions in the Duchy of Milan.