Guido Gonzaga

Guido Gonzaga (1290–1369) was the eldest son of Ludovico I Gonzaga, who made the family masters of Mantua. Podestà of Mantua in 1328 and later of Reggio Emilia, he became lord of the latter in 1335.

He reached the head of Mantua only in 1360 as its second capitano del popolo, ruling beside his son Ugolino, who likely held the real power until two of Guido's other sons, Francesco and Ludovico, murdered him in 1362.

In 1368 Barnabò Visconti occupied Mantua until Emperor Charles IV intervened to free it; the Peace of Bologna then added other lands. Guido died in 1369 and was succeeded by his son Ludovico II, whose mother was Beatrice of Bar.