However, the Visconti family were able to seize power(signoria) in Milan,
based on their"Ghibelline" friendship with the German Emperors.
The latter thus started to publicize an alleged Visconti's nearness to the heretic Cathars and charged them of high treason:
the Visconti, who accused the Della Torre of the same crimes, were then banned from Milan and their properties confiscated.