Ludovico II, Marquess of Saluzzo

Ludovico II del Vasto (23 March 1438 in Saluzzo – 27 January 1504) was marquess of Saluzzo from 1475 until his death. Before his accession as marquis he held the title of Count of Carmagnola. Biography Ludovico was the son of Ludovico I of Saluzzo and Isabella of Montferrat. He continued his father's war against Charles I of Savoy, which had depleted Saluzzo's fortunes, but again without notable results. Following his father's death in April 1475, Ludovico became marquess of Saluzzo. In an effort to foster trade, he patronized the construction of an alpine tunnel under Monviso which was completed in 1480. In 1481, Ludovico married his cousin, Giovanna Palaiologo of Montferrat, daughter of William VIII, Marquess of Montferrat. He married Margaret of Foix-Candale in 1492. Worsening relations with duke Charles of Savoy hastened Ludovico's allegiance to the French king Charles VIII. In 1487, Ludovico asked Charles for an army to relieve the siege of Saluzzo, but the city fell to Louis Tailland on 3 April 1587. Ludovico fled to Provence and remained in exile until 1490.