 She had been a divorcee (which was frowned upon in those days) and she was originally Pietro's mistress whom he took into the Doge's Palace when he ousted his father.This was a scandal and Pietro eventually yielded to the popular feelings and forced her to take a vow of chastity and go to the monastery.Giovanniccia disowned the child she had with Pietro, Vitale, and gave him for fostering.