FIESCO (DE' FIEscHI), GIOVANNI LUIGI (c. 1523— 1547), count of Lavagna, was descended from one of the greatest families of Liguria, first mentioned in the loth century. He married Eleonora Cibo, marchioness of Massa, in 1540, a woman of great beauty and family influence. The Fiesco belonged to the French or popular party, while the Doria were aristocrats and Imperialists. When Fiesco determined to conspire against Doria he found friends in many quarters. Pope Paul III. was the first to encourage him, while both Pierluigi Farnese, duke of Parma, and Francis I. of France encouraged him. Among his associates in Genoa were his brothers Girolamo and Ottobuono, Verrina and R. Sacco. A number of armed men from the Fiesco fiefs were secretly brought to Genoa, and it was agreed that on Jan. 2, 1547, during the interregnum before the election of the new doge, the galleys in the port should be seized and the city gates held. The first part of the programme was easily carried out, and Giannettino Doria, aroused by the tumult, rushed down to the port and was killed, but Andrea escaped from the city in time. Giovanni Luigi, while crossing a plank from the quay to one of the galleys, fell into the water and was drowned. The news spread consternation among the Fiesco faction, and Girolamo Fiesco found few ad herents. They came to terms with the senate and were granted a general amnesty. Doria returned to Genoa on the 4th thirsting for revenge, and in spite of the amnesty he confiscated the Fiesco estates. Girolamo Fiesco and Verrina were captured, tried, tor tured and executed. Ottobuono Fiesco, who had escaped, was captured eight years afterwards and put to death by Doria's orders.