In January 1277, in Como, Italy, the Torriani and Rusconi families clashed. Guelph leader, Napo della Torre challenged Ottone Visconti who, aided by Simone da Locarno, surprised Napo's army at Desio, capturing him. Simone imprisioned Napo in an iron cage hung outside the Baradello Tower, where he endured weather and mockery for 19 months until his death on August 16, 1278.