[1] In contrast to the large European monarchies, such as France or England, the Italian Peninsula was divided into numerous independent entities for many centuries.

The title of potestate, initially a temporary office, was assumed by representatives of noble families like the Visconti in Milan, the Este in Ferrara, and the Scala in Verona.

[7] He pledged allegiance to Ottobon Terzi, a Visconti contractor, who, in appreciation, appointed Guido as marshal (maniscalco[8]) in 1405, granting him command of a small army.

Guido seized this opportunity to oust Pietro Rossi and the Guelph party, reigniting the conflict, resulting in the massacre of 300 men.

[7][9] Ottobon, with Guido by his side, assembled 2,500 infantrymen at the castle of Montechiarugolo and launched an attack on Reggio Emilia, successfully capturing it.

Additionally, Guido received Monticelli, Montorano, Marano, Tortiano, Basilicagoiano, Pegorale, and Lesignano de' Bagni.

The privileges granted to him allowed Guido to administer justice, appoint officers such as podestà, castellan, procurator, etc., as long as they did not oppose Milan.

[4] In 1407, Guido was appointed governor of Reggio[3] and engaged in battles against Niccolò III d'Este's troops, causing devastation in Scandiano and Sesso.

Ottobon's actions grew increasingly ruthless, leading to the execution of 65 Parma residents suspected of treason and the plundering of Piacenza, despite being its lord, until Milanese troops intervened to free the city from his tyranny.

[9] Ottobon was assassinated by Giacomo Attendolo, founder of the Sforza dynasty, during peace negotiations in Rubiera on May 27, 1409, due to his widespread hatred.

Guido was briefly imprisoned in Modena[9][11] but was released in exchange for his father, wife, and son becoming hostages of Niccolò III in Mantua.

[13] The region enjoyed a period of peace, during which Guido seized the opportunity to fortify the castle of Montechiarugolo, a move deemed megalomaniacal by contemporary chroniclers.

"[11] He consolidated his territorial holdings, acquired lands in the Mantua region, expanded the Montechiarugolo fiefdom, and settled the issue of succession with his brothers.

Guido chose to support the most powerful contender, and in 1417, the reconciliation was sealed by a perpetual reward granted by Filippo Maria Visconti.

[14] On October 8, 1420, Guido participated in the battle of Montichiari under the command of Francesco Bussone da Carmagnola, which allowed the Visconti to retake Brescia.

[16] In December 1423, Guido was appointed admiral and set sail to take part in the liberation of Naples from the Aragonese occupation with twelve ships and twenty-five galleys.

On this occasion, Joanna II presented him with the azure rampant lion, symbol of courage featured on the Torelli coat of arms and found on the pediment of the Montechiarugolo castle.

[15] During this campaign, he met Francesco Sforza, son of Jacopo Attendolo and future Duke of Milan, whose military acumen he appreciated.

[16] This was followed by a period of calm which Guido used to reinforce the defensive system of Guastalla before Filippo Maria sent him to fight in Cremona as commander of the Visconti forces.

[18] On July 6, 1428, Filippo Maria Visconti once again rewarded Guido Torelli by definitively elevating the two fiefs to the rank of county.

This decree limited the power of rural lords by prohibiting them from demanding oaths of fidelity from their subjects and stipulating that disputes would be resolved by the major magistrate.

The city has been highly sought after by various powers, including the Republic of Venice, the Gonzaga of Mantua, the Este of Ferrara, and the Visconti of Milan, who controlled it from 1346 to 1402.

Contenders included Venice, the Duke of Orléans Charles I, and Francesco Sforza, who was married to Filippo Maria's only natural daughter, Blanche Marie.

The Ambrosian Republic was established by Milanese nobles such as Giorgio Lampugnani, Antonio Trivulzio, Teodoro Bossi, and others,[26] with the support of most condottieri, including Guido Torelli.