Aleramo, Marquis of Montferrat

Aleram (Italian: Aleramo; died 991) was the first Marquis of Montferrat and Liguria (the marca Aleramica) in Northern Italy until his death. He was son of William I of Montferrat and is mentioned in documents for the first time in 933 when he received a fief near Vercelli by Hugh of Italy. In 955 he was invested of lands in what is now the province of Alessandria.

Aleramo
Marquis of Montferrat
Reign	967–991
Predecessor	William I
Successor	William II (co-ruled with his father) Otto I
Born	904 Sezzadio, Province of Alessandria, Piedmont, Northwest Italy
Died	991 Grazzano Badoglio, Province of Asti, Piedmont, Northwest Italy
Burial	Abbazia Aleramica, Grazzano Badoglio, Province of Asti, Piedmont, Northwest Italy
Spouse	Adelaide
Issue	William II, Marquis of Montferrat Otto I, Marquis of Montferrat Anselm Ι
House	House of Aleramici
Father	William, Marquess of Montferrat

Life

In 958 he was appointed as Marquis by Berengar II of Italy, whose daughter Gerberga he had married. Three years later, however, Aleram sided for emperor Otto I, who gave him further lands in the Langhe and from the Tanaro, the Orba and the Ligurian Sea. The new grants had been favoured by Adelaide of Burgundy, wife of Otto I from 951 and previous wife of Lothair II, and also daughter of Rudolph II of Burgundy.

When Italy came under the direct control of the Holy Roman Empire in 962, Aleramo's titles were confirmed by the Emperor Otto I.

Family

Aleramo had three sons from his first wife, one Adelaide:

• William II, died before 967, co-ruler with his father
• Otto, died 991. His son William III succeeded to Montferrat
• Anselm Ι, who succeeded to Liguria. He was the founder of the House of Del Vasto and fathered Anselm II of Liguria. Also ancestor of the Del Carretto dynasty.

He was buried in Grazzano Badoglio, in the Province of Asti. His tomb, restored in the 16th and 20th centuries, is marked by a mosaic depicting mythological beasts.

See also

• Monte Pietra Ardena

Sources

• Circolo Culturale I Marchesi del Monferrato^{[failed verification]} (external link to website devoted to dynastic history)

Preceded by William I	Marquis of Montferrat 967–991	Succeeded by Otto I
Preceded by –	Marquis of Liguria ?–967	Succeeded by Anselmo