Editing Monza (section)

=== 14th–17th centuries ===

In 1312, Monza adhered to the Ghibelline faction.

Enrico Aliprandi, a member of a family of Monza, joined the Torriani faction, with many enlisted soldiers under his command. He was acclaimed Lord of Monza by the people in 1322. The same year, [[Luchino Visconti (died 1349)|Luchino Visconti]] and Francesco Garbagnate demolished the walls of Monza to prevent it from defending itself against attacks from the Milanese.

In 1325 [[Galeazzo I Visconti]], who conquered the city after a long siege, began the construction of new defences. Among the projects was the bifurcation of the River Lambro (the "Lambretto" branch) and the construction of a [[Visconti Castle (Monza)|castle]], the third in Monza. It included a {{convert|42|m|0}} tall-tower, later used as a jail (''Forni''). The Castle of Monza was later expanded to such a degree that it was necessary to demolish the St. Mary of Ingino church as space was needed for new buildings. Two other towers were also built along the River Lambro. In 1327 Galeazzo himself was imprisoned in the ''Forni'', by order of emperor [[Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Louis IV]]. He was released the next year.

In April 1329, the condottiero [[Pinalla Aliprandi]] regained Monza from the imperial troops. [[Azzone Visconti]] allowed the reconstruction of the walls, beginning in 1333 and lasting until 1381. [[Martino Aliprandi]] was ''[[podestà]]'' of Monza from 1334 to 1336, overseeing the construction of the walls and the fortification of the fortress.

In 1354 Pope Innocent VI proclaimed the undisputed right to impose, in the Cathedral of Monza, the Crown of Italy, the Iron Crown. In 1380 [[Gian Galeazzo Visconti]] donated the castle to his wife Catherine, who died there after having been jailed by her son [[Giovanni Maria Visconti|Giovanni Maria]] (1404). In 1407 [[Estorre Visconti]] was proclaimed Lord of Monza and began minting Monza's own coinage.

[[Antonio de Leyva, Duke of Terranova|Antonio de Leyva]], the Spanish governor of Milan and commander of the imperial troops, sacked the city in 1527. In the same year, a mine exploded causing the partial destruction of the Castle of Monza. De Leyva became Lord of Monza in 1529, devoting himself to the government regulation of ecclesiastical affairs, controlling their taxes and duties and shutting the doors of those who did not pay. His relative [[Marianna de Leyva]] was the inspiration to [[Alessandro Manzoni]] for his Nun of Monza.

The plague, which struck Monza in 1576 and 1630, caused a profound demographic and economic crisis. In 1648, Monza and its territory became the property of the Milanese Durini family.

The Duchy of Milan and Monza remained subject to the Spanish crown until the early 18th century.