Captain of Milan
Having become the military leader of various Lombard cities, including Pavia, Vercelli, Alessandria, Tortona, Genoa, Turin, Asti, Alba, Novara, Brescia, Cremona, and Lodi, he was also elected head of the anti-Angevin coalition. At the height of his career, Ottone Visconti requested William to fight the Torriani. On 5 August 1278, he was named captain of Milan and given an annual salary of 10,000 lire. Soon defeated, however, he was forced to leave the city for Montferrat.
Milan, however, was left bereft of military leadership and Ottone Visconti soon requested William's aid again. He was invited back to the city and accepted, demanding the lordship of Milan for ten years.
William did not long enjoy his time in Milan, for his authority was soon challenged in Alessandria and Asti. He left Milan in the hands of a vicar and went to fight the rebellious cities. Unfortunately, he did not enjoy swift victory, but was instead captured by Thomas III of Savoy, whom he had made his enemy in taking Turin. In order to obtain his liberty, he ceded Turin, as well as Grugliasco and Collegno, and a huge sum of gold. He was freed on 21 June 1280. From that moment, power in the Piedmont would slowly devolve to the Savoyards.
Weakened by continuous warfare, William soon lost control of Milan. On 27 December 1281, he was chased from the city by the one who had brought him there, Ottone Visconti.
Read more about this topic: William VII, Marquess Of Montferrat
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