Bevilacqua dynasty

Their rise to prominence began in 962 when Otto I the Great, the first Holy Roman Emperor, appointed Antonio Bevilacqua as Governor of Lazise.

The family remained loyal to the Emperors until they later allied themselves with Matilda of Tuscany; they were granted a Principality at Bevilacqua in 1059, and acquired other territories in the areas of Verona and Ferrara.

They later supported the Canossa family of the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa, and in recognition received the church of San Salvaro in Verona.

In order to ensure Prince Antonio Bevilacqua's support, Holy Roman Emperor Otto I issued his Concessagli Decree which granted autonomy to the country of Lazise making it the first free Common of the Italians.

Antonio Bevilacqua gave Roscio of Paganica a knight for his loyalty against Charlemagne's French Carolingian empire in Italy which disintegrated completely in 987.

On May 25, 1060, the Duke and Marquess of Tuscany gave the Bevilacqua family additional property in an adjustment entitled In Comitatu Ariminensi in villa Corliano Bibens aquam.

Count Viviano Bevilacqua was a major supporter of Countess Matilda of Tuscany, who campaigned for religious reform in Verona and in 1076 became the sole heiress to the wealthy Canossa estate.

Count Viviano was a friend to Saint Giovanni Gualberto (985-1073) who founded the Vallumbrosan Order of Benedictines, and in 1073 the Count built the Church of San Giovanni de Gualberto (now called the Church of Holy Trinity) by the Vallumbrosan monastery on the Mount Olive Grove hill in Verona.

In a deed dated July 3, 1098, Countess Matilda granted more property to the Bevilacqua family in the territory of Reggio for their assistance and protection.

The Battle of Legnano (1176), in which the Lombard League defeated Frederick Barbarossa, took place adjacent to the Principality of Bevilacqua just outside Verona.