Background
He was the eldest son of Otto II and Constance of Savoy.
He was the eldest son of Otto II and Constance of Savoy.
The date of William"s birth is unknown, but it probably took place between 1030 and 1035. He first appears in a document of 1059, when he is placed in power over the city of Savona, probably as per a request of the citizenry for a ruler of their own. In 1093, he was present when the Emperor Henry IV donated the monastery of Breme to the church of Pavia.
In an act dated 15 September 1096, Uvilielmus marchio filius quondam Uvilielmi et Ota iugalis eius filia quondam Tebaldi et Uvilielmus filius presicti Uvilielmi et Ote, et Oto filius item Otonis, seu Petrus filius Roberti, atque coniunx eius Ermengarda filia predicti Tebaldi et Tezo filius iamdicti Petri et Ermengarde conceded their rights over the church of Santo Stefano di Allein.
