The noble family of the Scaliger (/ˈskælɪdʒər/; also Scaligeri [skaˈliːdʒeri], from de Scalis or della Scala) were Lords of Verona. When Ezzelino III was elected podestà of the commune in 1226, he was able to convert the office into a permanent lordship. Upon his death the Great Council elected as podestà Mastino I, who succeeded in converting the signoria (seigniory) into a family inheritance, governing at first with the acquiescence of the commune, then, when they failed to re-elect him in 1262, he effected a coup d'état and was acclaimed capitano del popolo ("people's captain"), at the head of the commune's troops. In 1277 Mastino was killed by a faction of the nobles. The reign of his son Alberto as capitano (1277–1302) was one incessant war against the counts of San Bonifacio, who wer