Early Life
Cangrande was born at Verona, the third son of Alberto I della Scala, ruler of Verona, and Verde da Salizzole. Christened Can Francesco, perhaps partly in punning homage to his uncle Mastino ("mastiff") I, the founder of the Scaligeri dynasty, his physical and mental precocity soon earned him the name Cangrande, namely "big" or "great dog". The canine theme was enthusiastically embraced and from Cangrande's reign onwards the Scaliger lords used a dog motif on their helmets and also on their tombs and other monuments.
Cangrande was held in great affection by his father who took the extraordinary step of knighting him while still a child on November 11, 1301. On Alberto's death in 1301, Cangrande was entrusted to the guardianship of his eldest brother Bartolomeo I della Scala, in whose brief reign he probably first met Dante when the poet took refuge in Verona following his exile from Florence.
Read more about this topic: Cangrande I Della Scala
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