This doctoral thesis is focused on the élite of Turin during the late Middle Ages, with particular regard to parental structures and their reproductive strategies. In fact, the deep changes occurred in the élite between 12th and 14th century are not only the result of the political decisions of the Dukes of Savoy and of the demographic crisis, but also the outcome of economic and social choices of the families. The research aims at showing how behaviours and events within parental groups have an effect on the political and social changes of the citizenship, taking into account residential patterns, economic strategies, inheritance models and financial investments. On the one hand, different combinations of these elements, in which inheritance patterns play an essential role, are crucial for the duration and success of parental groups; on the other hand, they have a significant impact on the political balances of the families and the élite.