Alagia Fieschi

Alagia Fieschi (died after 1334), also known as Alagia di Nicolò Fieschi and Alagia di Fieschi, was the daughter of Count Nicolò Fieschi and niece of Pope Adrian V. Alagia married Moroello Malaspina in the 1280s and they had five children. In Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, Alagia is remembered by Adrian V at the end of his conversation with Dante as the only virtuous woman in his family whom he wishes to pray on his behalf (Purgatorio, Canto XIX, 142-145). Alagia’s mention as the only virtuous person in her family reflects Dante’s view about Alagia's family's actions involving the Malaspina family. In addition, Alagia is celebrated by Dante through his portrayal of her as a virtuous woman whose prayer can contribute to Adrian V's journey of salvation. Life Family Alagia Fieschi descended from a wealthy Genoese family, the Fieschi, who expansively held land between Chiavari and Sestri. She was the daughter of Nicolò Fieschi, a count in the Fieschi family of Lavagna. She married Moroello Malaspina, who was the son of Manfredi di Giovagallo of the Spino Secco (a branch of the Malaspina family) at the end of the thirteenth century, seemingly around the 1280s. In her marriage with Moroello, Alagia had two daughters and three sons: Fiesca, Beatrice, Manfredi, Luchino and Giovanni. Fiesca was first married to the Dovadolan Count, Marcovaldo Guidi, the grandson of Guido Salvatico, and his marriage with Fiesca formed a kinship between the Malaspina and the Guidi family. Fiesca later married a lord of Montepulciano, Niccolò di Pecora. Beatrice was married to Alberto di Salinguerra Torelli, who was the son of a Ferrarian lord, Salinguerra Torelli, while her brother, Manfredi, married Alberto’s sister, Anna di Salinguerra Torelli. Little is known about Luchino and Giovanni.