The flag served as a recognisable symbol of the Milanese army. The coat of arms of Milan is embroidered with the image of a serpent swallowing a frightened child. On top of the image is the Lombardy iron crown. Bernabò Visconti proudly allowed his daughter to hand the flag over to the men going into battle. Visconti’s army did not seek a confrontation, but they were determined to defend Milan and the other provinces. To this day, the coat of arms remains a recognisable symbol of the Visconti family.
The emissary of the Austrian Duke Rudolph came to Milan with an important suggestion. In his letter, the Austrian Duke asked Bernabò to marry off his daughter Viridis to his brother Leopold III. However, Leopold III was not the only suitor. Viridis was also courted by the illustrious condottiero Ambrosio Sforza from Milan. Viridis became the wife of Leopold III who was just 14 years old at the time. She was unhappy for the first couple of years at the Austrian court. She wrote letters home speaking of her unhappiness, which nevertheless hid some of the details. She didn’t speak German and was unaccustomed to the less lavish manor in which they lived. They were treated as children, which in reality they were. His older brother, Albert the Pigtail, on the other hand, spared no expense and had many servants. Viridis was not used to being ignored and having to adapt. The lords met in a large chamber where they whiled away the hours working and chatting. Viridis was not particularly talkative when working.
When Leopold came of age, the bad times where behind them. Viridis and Leopold became popular with their subjects and other citizens. They soon came to rule the land. They desired more and more – an abundance of land and castles. They were successful at negotiating and gained significant power. Leopold worked alongside his brother and together they expanded their estates to Tyrol. Leopold wished to prove to the people that he was a hero. He proved his gallantry in combat, earning the title of knight. Among others, he conquered the following lands: Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, the Windic March, Istria, Felte, Cividale, Tyrol, the Duchy of Habsburg, a border duchy and several smaller regions. Leopold conquered land after land, making Viridis proud and humiliating his sister-in-law. This of course earned him many enemies. Leopold bought expensive castles for Viridis and offered her the most extensive lands. Viridis supported him. She gave him courage and strength, as well as the offer of counsel when it came to conquering lands and fighting battles.
Viridis and Leopold had four children: William, Leopold, Ernest the Iron and Frederick. Their progeny had a religious upbringing and were schooled to comport themselves likes dukes. Virids sought a wife for her firstborn, with an eye on the benefits a marriage would bring. Viridis wanted to become an empress and the mother of kings. This would allow her to show everyone her glory and what a successful wife and mother she had become.
