GONZAGA, HousE oF, a family of German origin, from which sprang a long line of sovereign dukes of Mantua and Moutferrat. The sway of this race over :Mantua extended over a period exceeding three centuries, and many of its members were magnifi cent promoters and cultivators of arts, science, and literature. Wielding originally in the state the vast civic influence which in so many instances we find exercised by families of weight in the history of Italy, the Gonzagas gradually monopolized all the chief posts of command, both civil and military; and finally, in 1432, were invested with the title - and jurisdiction of -hereditary Marqnisea, and in 1530 with that of- dukes: or sovereigns of the state. After their elevation to ducal dignity, they continuer) to own the feudal supremacy of the empire, and were the faithful champions of the imperial interests in their policy with other states. Ths house of Gonzaga, and that of the Visconti dukes of Milan, were perpetually at war. The most illustrious personages of this race were GIOVANNI FRANCESCO (1407-44), in whose favor Mantua was created a marquisate by the emperor Sigismund,.in return for his services to the empire. -GIAN FRANCESCO (148-1-1519), who defeated Charles VIII. of France at the battle of Fornovo, on the banks of the Taro, 1495, when Gonzaga left 3,500 troops ou the field, and Charles was forced to a hasty retreat. Gonzaga also took part in the engagement of Atel]a, 1496, which led to the capitulation of the French forces. His son, FREDERICK II. (1519-40), in recognition of the services he rendered the imperial forces in their contest with France, was invested by the emperor Charles V. with the ducal dignity in 1530, and also obtained the marquisate of Montferrat in 1536. During the reign of this prince, the court of Mantua was one of the most magnificent and gay of Europe.—GuomELmo
(1550-87), the son of Frederick, was humpbacked, but proved a wise and enlightened ruler; his secretary was Bernardo Tasso, father of the poet.-ViNcENzo (1587-1612), son of the Guglielmo, was the warm friend and patron of Tasso, and succeeded in obtaining the poet's freedom, when he was confined as insane by the duke Alfonso was much esteemed for his piety, justice, and liberality. He was successively followed by his three sons, Francesco, Ferdinando, and Vincentio, who. died without heirs, and thus the direct line of the ducal branch became extinct. A collateral branch in the person of Charles I., duke of Nevers, son of Ludovico, the brother of Guglielmo the humpbacked, claimed the duchy, which was contested by his cousin Cusar, duke of Guastalla. This family feud led to a general war, in which France supported Nevers, and the empire claimed the right of adjudging Mantua, as an imperial fief, to a candidate of imperial election. Mantua in 1629 was stormed, sacked, and stripped of all its magnificent possessions, by the imperialists, and never regained its former splendor. Charles de Nevers submitted finally to the emperor, and was installed in the duchy. The artistic treasures collected for ages by the Gonzaga princes were scattered throughout Europe, and came into the possession of several of the reign ing sovereigns. The successors of Charles were dissipated and silly, and the tenth and last duke of Mantua, Ferdinand-Charles, was the most contemptible and dissolute of all. As he had countenanced the French in the war of the succession, the emperor Joseph I. deprived him of his states, placing him under the ban of the empire. He died in exile in 1708, leaving no issue.