Andrea Gambacorta

Andrea Gambacorta (c. 1290–1351), head of a leading Pisan family of popolani, traded woollen cloth in Pisa. In 1325 he proposed measures to protect Pisan merchants competing with Genoa for Florentine freight.

When Pisa's signore Ranieri Novello della Gherardesca died in 1347, the leading families split into two parties: the Bergolini, named from the young count's nickname Bergo, and their rivals, mocked as Raspanti for their greed. They fought in council and then in the streets, and Andrea, leader of the Bergolini, led the rising that drove the Raspanti chiefs out in December.

He then dominated Pisa and subject Lucca until his death in 1351, ruling through the Anziani with his nephew Francesco. His son Pietro ruled Pisa from 1369.