Giovanni Thiene at tournament, Italy, Vicenza XIV cent.

The Thiene are an ancient family from Vicenza and its province. The first known member of the family, at the end of the thirteenth century, is a certain Vincenzo del fu Tealdino, who came from Arsiero and who carried out, by his own admission at the time of the will, the activity of usurer in Thiene and in the surrounding countryside[1] . The sons continued their father’s business, rapidly increasing the family fortune, and while maintaining Thiene as their main area of interest, in the first decade of the fourteenth century they moved to Vicenza, where the city magistrates had the task of supporting lenders in the recovery of their credits.

During the Scala domination, the economic success and social ascent of the Thiene family grew rapidly and some of its members held important noble and city offices, such as the judge Simone, the clergyman Uguccione or Giovanni knighted and then viceroy of the Abruzzi. The latter’s ability at the court of Giangaleazzo Visconti also earned him the favors of this lordship, which he confirmed as a feud and further increased the numerous assets owned by the family in the Vicenza and Verona areas.

In 1387, Clemente’s son Jacopo played an important role in the transition of Vicenza from the Scaliger to the Visconti lordship; together with his uncle Giampietro Proti he was a protagonist of the dedication of the city to the Republic of Venice
It is a family known for its loyalty to the Republic of Venice.