Manfred I, Marquess of Saluzzo

Manfred I (died 1175) was the first marquess of Saluzzo, serving in that capacity from 1125 until his death. He was the eldest son of Boniface del Vasto, the margrave of Western Liguria, of a noble stock which had ruled the region between Savona and Ventimiglia for generations. Boniface received the county of Saluzzo in feudum directly from its suzerain, Ulric Manfred, margrave of Turin, and gave it to his son. The county comprised the land between the Alps, the Po River, and the Stura. Manfred transmitted the marquistate to his son by Eleonara (possibly the daughter of Gonario II of Arborea because of Pisa's connection with Arborea), Manfred II, and the dynasty which reigned until the Renaissance was born.