Boniface III, Margrave of Tuscany
Boniface ( probably 985 *, † May 6, 1052 in San Martino dell'Argine ) from the family of the lords of Canossa was one of the most powerful nobles in Italy in the first half of the 11th century. He is best known as the father of Matilda of Tuscany. He was the son of Theobald of Canossa, Count of Reggio, Modena, Mantua, Brescia and Ferrara.
He was with residence in Mantua:
- Lord of Canossa
- Before 1004 Margrave and sole heir
- 1013/15 Count of Reggio, Modena, Mantua and Brescia
- Referred to 1028/32, Margrave of Tuscany ( Boniface IV ), also known as Duke
- 1051 probably Duke of Spoleto and Margrave of Camerino
Boniface married his first wife, on October 10, 1010/15 Countess Richilde, heiress of Castel Nogara etc., † after February 1036, daughter of Giselbert ( II ) of Vailate, Count Palatine and Earl and Countess of Bergamo Anselda, probably Countess of Turin, with whom he had a daughter who was born 1014 and died.
His second wife was married around 1037 Beatrix of Lorraine ( probably * 1017, † April 18, 1076 ) from the family of Wigeriche, daughter of Duke Frederick II of Upper Lorraine. Boniface and Beatrix had three children:
- Friedrich, † probably July 1056
- Beatrix, † 1053 before December 17
- Mathilde (* probably 1046 † July 24, 1115 ) from 1053 to 1056 and from 1070 to 1115 Duchess of Tuscany, etc.; ∞ I November 1069/April 1070, separated 1071, Gottfried IV of the hunchback, 1065 Duke of Lower Lorraine, ∞ II to 1089, separately summer 1095, Welf IV Duke of Bavaria
Boniface was buried in the church of San Michele in Mantua.
Beatrix took over the regency 1052-54/56 for minor Mathilde, married in the spring of 1054 Duke Godfrey III. the Bearded of Lower Lorraine and was 1055/56 with her daughter hostage in Germany. 1056 Gottfried was even then Margrave of Tuscany, etc., so that Mathilde until his death in 1069 was the heir final.