CARRA'RA, DA, the name of an historical family of Italy, which held sovereign sway over Padua and the neighbouring provinces during the middle ages. Like most of the north. Italian nobility of that period the Carrara appear to have beeu of Longobard origin. One of their ancestors, by name Luitelf, is recorded as the founder of the abbey of Carrara, in the territory of about 1027, and as having built a castle in the neighbourhood, which had feudal jurisdie tion granted to the owner by tho emperor of Germany. Several of Luitolf's descendants filled municipal offices in the community of Padua. Marsilio da Carrara was put to death by Eccelino, tyrant of Padua. After the death of Eccelino, in 1259, Padua was restored to its municipal independence ns an important member of the Guolf league, and as such found itself at variance with the Della Scala, lords of Verona, who were Ghibelines. Jacopo da Carrara commanded the troops of Padua agiinst Can della Scala in the early part of the 14th century. The citizens of Padua, being distracted by factions, elected Jacopo for their lord in 1318. Jacopo died in 1324, and was succeeded by his nephew Marsilie, who, being hard-pressed by the Della Scala of Verona, was assisted by the republic of Veolee in repelling them. He died in 1338, and was succeeded by his nephew Ubertino, who, dyin in 1345, was succeeded by Marsilletto his relative, who belonged to adapt branch surnamed Carrara Pappsfsra. After two months Mar• salietto was stabbed by Jacopo II., nephew of the first Jacopo. This Jacopo II. was himself murdered by a relative in 1350, and was suo model by his brother Jaoopino, jointly with Francesco his nephew, MO of Jacopo II. Francesco da Carrara being at the head of the troops, arrestes1 his noels in 1355, and confined him In a fortress. Hs thee remained sole lord of Padua. ilia reign was eventful. lie was at the bead of the Lombard or Goolf league against the Visconti of Wen. lie afterwards entered into • war against Venice, but was obliged to conclude a humiliating peace, and to send his son to Venice to make apology. In 1378 he joined the Genoese in their attack against Venice, by which the republic. was brought to the brink of
rum. a coomminsties which Franceeco was determined to effect, but which was prevented by the patriotism of the citizens of Venice, and by the timely arrival of Carlo Zeno with hissquadron. In 1381 peace was made. A fresh quarrel of Francesco with Antonio della Scala of Verona, led to an alliance of Francesco with Oian Oaleazzo Visconti, who, after taking Verona, turned round against his ally, took Padua awl Treviso, arrested Franomeo in 13S3, and kept him prisoner till his death at Moan is 1393. Francesco da Carrara was intimate with Petrareb, who speak. of him In his works.
Francesco 11., called Novollo, after his father** imprisonment wandered as an emigrant about Italy and France, begging for assist ance to recover his father's territories, and at last he re-entered Padua in 1390. Having made peace with 11sconti, he repaired to Venice, where, In presence of the senate, he expressed his gratitude for the assittanee which he had received from the republic (hiring his struggle against Visconti, swore perpetual friendship to Venice, and had his name inscribed in the golden book in the roll of the patricians. Ile however broke his word, and lost thereby his territory, and was taken prisoner to 'Venice, where he was strangled with two of his sons, io the dungeons of the duoal palace, in 1400, according to the barbarous practice of the Venetian senate in those times. Venice took possession of Padua, Treviso, and the other territories of the Carrara. Many years after, the last remaining son of Francesco, named Marsilio, having formed • conspiracy to recover possession of Padua, was seized and put to death in 143Z.
(Litt., Fawiglie Ccicbri Italians; Sandi, Florio Chile di Venezia; N'ergerio, Vita Corraricariam Principun ad one. 1355 ; Verci. Giam battista, Setiee Storico-geneedogidie de Signori da Carrara ; Ticozzi, Viaggi de Nester Frasicesco Novelle eta Carrara, Signor di l'adora e di Taddea d'Eate sea Consorie, Milan, 1823. This last is a kind of Isiatorkal novel of the wanderings of Francesco IL, after his father's Imprisonment)