Matteo Chiaramonte
Matteo Chiaramonte was a Sicilian nobleman of the Chiaramonte family who held the title of Count of Modica. A member of a prominent aristocratic lineage in 14th-century Sicily, he governed during a period of political instability marked by tensions between the Aragonese crown and the local feudal barons.
Origins and family
Matteo was the son of Federico Chiaramonte and Costanza Moncada. His father served as Count of Modica.He had at least one sibling, Luchina Chiaramonte, who in November 1352 married Enrico Rosso, count of Aidone; contemporary and modern sources record the match and name Enrico as Federico’s son-in-law.
In November 1352, the Steri at Agrigento hosted the wedding feast. According to the Cronaca of Michele da Piazza, Federico Chiaramonte met his son-in-law outside the city and returned in procession amid music, dancing, and cheering crowds. In the palace’s piano nobile a sumptuous banquet was served on silver platters with gold cups, while bread and wine were distributed in the square for nearly three days—a display of Chiaramonte magnificence aimed at cementing urban support.
Career
After his father’s death in 1363, Matteo is recorded as castellano and captain for life at Agrigento, residing in the local Steri and also using the Palazzo Chiaramonte in Palermo and the family residence at Favara.This attestation suggests he had already succeeded to the county by that point. Standard reference works record that Manfredi III Chiaramonte received royal investiture for Modica in 1377 following Matteo’s death, though some modern lists begin Manfredi’s effective rule in the late 1360s.
Family life
Matteo married Giacoma Ventimiglia, a daughter of Francesco II Ventimiglia, count of Geraci; the match tied the Chiaramonte to one of the island’s leading houses. They lived mainly at Agrigento, where documents refer to the Chiaramonte residence as the local Steri.The couple had three known children: Federico, Costanzella, and Agata. Matteo also acknowledged a natural son, Enrico.