Serving under the Ghibelline chief, Uguccione della Faggiuola, he was elected lord (as lifelong consul) of Lucca on June 12, 1316, displacing  the Quartigiani family, and was appointed Duke of Lucca, Pistoia, Volterra and Luni by emperor Frederick of Austria. In the following generation the power of the family collapsed in the general success of the Guelfs.
Serving under the Ghibelline chief, Uguccione della Faggiuola, he was elected lord (as lifelong consul) of Lucca on June 12, 1316, replacing the Quartigiani family, and was appointed Duke of Lucca, Pistoia, Volterra, and Luni by Emperor Frederick of Austria. In the subsequent generation, the family's power diminished due to the overall success of the Guelfs.