Ivan Anz Frankopian, or Giovanni Franco, also called (Swedish: Johan Vale), was a bailiff in service of Eric of Pomerania service, who in the 1420s held Stegeborg. He was the son of the Croatian viceroy, Nikola Frankopan.
King Eric met Franco in Venice on his way on his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and was designated an interpreter. After the arrivial in Jerusalem, the King was dubbed Knight of the Holy Sepulchre by the Franciscan Custos of the Holy Land, and subsequently himself dubbed his pilgrim fellows, among them Ivan Anz Frankopian.
After the journey to Jerusalem, Franco then come to the Nordic countries and became bailiff at Stegeborg.
In 1432, a Venetian ships crew shipwrecked off the coast of Norway to Stegeborg after a journey to Jämtland, Dalarna and Västmanland. He took care of them, and took, among other things with them to Vadstena for a church celebration, he gave them parting gifts and housed them in farms during their journey to Lödöse. [1]
Franco also had Köpingshus fief, and here he found himself in Engelbrekt rebellion, so withdrew before Engelbrecht in 1434 conquered and burned the castle. Later, he also left Stegsholm.