European Kingdoms

Lordship of Monaco (Western Europe)
AD 1191 - 1612
Incorporating Colony of Genoa (1191-1297), Lordship of Monaco (1297-1612)

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The first permanent inhabitants of the European region which makes up Monaco were Ligurians who migrated into the area when they first penetrated what would become Provence and Liguria. Ligurian spread eventually encompassed the Mediterranean coast from today's Liguria to the north-eastern corner of Iberia.

The Romans later described Ligurians as hard-working and frugal. In the sixth century BC Phocaeans from Massalia (modern Marseille) founded a city at Monaco, naming it Monoikos. Later Roman controls in the region took many wars to be fully asserted. The Tropaeum Alpium ('Trophy of the Alps') stands majestically in the commune of La Turbie on the French Riviera to mark Rome's eventual victory over the Ligurian and Alpine tribes at the end of the first century BC.

Following that, the area became part of the province of the Maritime Alps, but barbarian tribes ravaged the region as the later Roman empire faded. Some areas were depopulated by these attacks, while later North African control was driven out by AD 975. Land which would become today's principality of Monaco was acquired by the republic of Genoa in 1191. The early foundations of the 'Lordship of Monaco' would be laid during that Genoese colonial period.

One Otto Cannella was consul of Genoa in 1131. He was the earliest-known ancestor of the Genoese Grimaldi family, which takes its name from his son, Grimaldo. The Grimaldis were a notable Guelph family, supporters of the medieval Papacy, and it was they who seized the Monaco colony in 1297. They were out of favour at the time, so their seizure of early Monaco was far from being a Genoese-sanctioned move.

For the most part they governed from then onwards, making them Europe's longest-serving dynasty. From 1612 they used the title 'sovereign prince' to underline their independence while also holding the lordships of Menton and Roquebrune.

The name 'Monaco', whilst a Ligurian one, is also associated with a legend about Heracles (or 'Hercules' to the Romans). Heracles was known as Heracles Monoikos which, in Greek, means 'Heracles alone' or 'Heracles who has only one temple'. He was credited with building the coastal 'Road of Hercules' which connected ancient Italy to Iberia. A temple to Heracles was constructed in Monaco, and altars to him are sprinkled along the entire route.

(Information by John De Cleene & Peter Kessler, with additional information from the John De Cleene Archive, from Hammond's Historical Atlas (C S Hammond & Co, 1963), from Historical Atlas of the World, R R Palmer (Ed, Rand McNally & Company, 1963), from National Geographic (May 1996), from Oxford Atlas of World History, Patrick K O'Brien (Ed, Oxford University Press, 1999), from Washington Post (16 November 1996), and from External Links: Hello Monaco, and Monaco (Flags of the World), and Monaco, (Heraldica.org), and Monaco (Rulers.org), and Monaco (Monaco.mc, no longer online but available via the Internet Archive), and Provence & Beyond, and Monaco (World Statesmen).)

1191

Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI awards Monaco to Genoa, removing it from the control of Provence and triggering the 'Colony of Genoa' period. This is the ancient town of Monoikos, built by Phocaeans from Massalia. Frederick II confirms the donation in 1220 and 1221. Charles, count of Provence, also confirms it in 1262.

1215

Genoese Ghibellines (supporters of the emperor) under Fulco del Cassello begin construction of the fortress on the 'Rock of Monaco', which eventually will encircle the entire rock. In order to attract settlers the Genoese grant tax exemptions and land possession.

The position is one of strategic importance. Naturally it becomes the object of continual strife and changes of control between the Ghibellines and the Guelphs of whom the Grimaldis, the ultimate possessors of Monaco, are adherents.

Founded by eight wealthy merchant families, the 'Serene Republic of Genoa' was an independent Italian state which grew up around the coastal city of Genoa in 1096, located in Liguria, on the north-western coast of Italy

1270 - 1297

Civil wars in the republic of Genoa weaken the control of state authorities over the Monaco colony. Members of the Grimaldi family several times seek refuge in Monaco from the fighting in Genoa.

1296 - 1297

After more fighting, Genoa expels the Guelphs, including the Grimaldi family. The exiles take refuge in Provence with a small army.

François Grimaldi 'Malizia' ('the Cunning') dresses as a monk so that he can penetrate the walls of Monaco, managing to take control on 8 January 1297. The event is venerated in the Grimaldi family coat of arms, which features two monks armed with swords. He does not become Monaco's ruler however but his cousin, Rainier I, lord of Cagnes, does takes the title 'lord of Monaco', thereby founding the 'Lordship of Monaco'.

1297

Seized Monaco disguised as a monk.

1297 - 1314

Cousin. Lord of Cagnes & French admiral. First lord.

1301 - 1331

Following a four-year siege, Genoa regains control over Monaco while Rainier is in France. Genoese control remains in place for thirty years until the Guelphs return to power in Genoa.

The 'Rock of Monaco' is a sixty-two metre-tall promontory which overlooks Monte-Carlo's modern port and the Mediterranean Sea, and is also the oldest of Monaco's settlement areas, the one in which the Old Town is located

1304 - 1309

Rainier is an important noble at the court of Philip 'the Fair' of France. He rises to the rank of admiral of France, managing to defeat the Flemish in a naval victory at Zierikzee (or Zeriksee) in 1304. Rainier establishes a fortress at Cagnes in 1309 (now Château Grimaldi), of which he assumes the title lord.

1331 - 1355

Charles Grimaldi is able to occupy the rock of Monaco in 1331. He expands his limited possessions in 1341 by acquiring the holdings in Monaco of the Spinolas, a powerful Genoese family. He also purchases, in 1346, the lordship of Menton and, in 1355, the lordship of Roquebrune. Those two will be held by Monaco until the nineteenth century.

1331 - 1357

Son. Wounded at Crécy. Fled into exile.

1335 - 1352

The Grimaldis begin to assert their independence from Genoa. Charles furnishes an army of crossbowmen to Philip IV of France, and they fight at the Battle of Crécy in 1346 where Charles is wounded. His fleet participates in the siege of Calais.

The Battle of Crécy on 26 August 1346 saw a small but disciplined English army defeat France and its 'finest cavalry in Europe' in the first decade of the Hundred Years War

Charles is so efficient at plundering Venetian vessels off the coast of Syria and Egypt that Venice appeals to Pope Benedict XII, who urges King Robert 'the Wise' of Naples to intervene in his position as lord of Provence, a defender of Monaco (but then Robert dies in 1343).

1352

Although his date of birth is unknown, Charles must be entering his later years by now. At this point in his reign, three joint lords of Monaco are announced in the form of Antoine, his youngest brother, and two of his own sons: Rainier and Gabriele.

1352 - 1357

Uncle. Joint lord.

1352 - 1357

Son of Charles I. Joint lord.

1352 - 1357

Brother. Joint lord.

1357 - 1395

Genoa besieges Monaco from 1356, and Rainier II, who never enters Monaco, gives it up for twenty thousand florins in 1357. He keeps ownership of Menton and Roquebrune though, while Charles flees into exile and Monaco is again a Genoese outpost.

The town of Menton lies on the French Riviera in south-eastern France, known for its beaches and gardens but also for its part as a holding of the principality of Monaco from its early days until the nineteenth century

1356 - 1395

Rainier fights on the side of France at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. French military reforms which are instituted as a result of the disastrous battle are of great benefit to Monaco, because they require extensive use of Mediterranean ports.

The Grimaldis take back Monaco in 1395 but only for a year. Charles' son, Louis, becomes joint lord with Jean, the son of Rainier II, following the system which had been devised by Charles for joint ownership of Monaco.

1395 - 1402

Son of Charles I. Joint lord (except in 1395-1397).

1395 - 1402

Son of Rainier II. Captured and released.

1395 - 1397

Once again Genoa takes control of Monaco but cannot hold it for long. The Grimaldis are back in control from 1397 and Louis is restored as its lord, but only until 1402.

1402 - 1419

Genoa again controls Monaco in the ongoing tug-of-war for control of this strategic position. Rainier's sons, Jean, Ambroise, and Antoine, take Monaco from Genoa in 1419, and for the last time this will be necessary.

A portrait of Gian Galeazzo I Visconti, first duke of Milan during the politically troubled early Renaissance period in Italy in which he was able to purchase his title and domains

1419 - 1454

Restored as joint lord of Monaco.

1419 - 1427

Brother. Joint lord. Bought out by Jean.

1419 - 1427

Brother. Joint lord. Died in office.

1427

Antoine dies, and Jean buys out Ambroise to become sole ruler of Monaco. In exchange, Ambroise receives Menton and Roquebrune. Beginning with Jean, lords of Monaco tend to avoid joint ownerships and divisions by specifying sole successors in their wills.

1428 - 1437

The duchy of Milan under the Viscontis manages to occupy Monaco as part of their domination of Genoa. Jean regains control in 1436 and, beginning in 1437, is usually absent from Monaco while he participates in the Wars in Lombardy. During his absence his wife, Pomellina Fregoso, acts as regent and successfully defends the lordship against a Savoyard siege.

Piedmont with its vineyards became attached to Savoy shortly after Amadeus VIII was elevated to the rank of duke, uniting the two main branches of the Savoyards

1437 - 1441

Wife of Jean I, and regent during his absence.

1437 - 1441

Filippo Maria Visconti captures Jean in 1437 and repeatedly attempts to persuade him to turn over Monaco to Milan. Jean refuses so, in 1438, Filippo hands Jean to Louis, duke of Savoy. Filippo also agrees to annexe Monaco to Savoy, but Jean does not cooperate. Pomellina gains Jean's release in 1441.

1448

Jean cedes half of Menton and Roquebrune to the duke of Savoy (although they are returned in 1477 as fiefs for which Monaco's rulers pay homage through into the nineteenth century). Ninety-one percent of Menton becomes a fief of the dukes of Savoy, while only half of Roquebrune does so.

1454

Jean changes the rules of succession from the Lex Salica (Salic Law), which specifically excludes females, to that of male-preference primogeniture. In cases in which there is no male heir, a female is eligible to succeed provided her husband takes the Grimaldi name and coat of arms.

The early flag of Monaco included two figures in monks habits, mimicking the initial seizure of the rock by François Grimaldi and Rainier I

1454 - 1457

Son. Died three years after acceding. Left a female heir.

1457

Changes which had been made by Jean I to the rules of succession come into effect almost straight away. Jean's son, Catalan, dies after just three years in command of the lordship, and with a female heir as his sole offspring.

1457 - 1458

Daughter. First ruling lady of Monaco, aged 6.

1457 - 1458

Claudine is only six when she succeeds. According to Catalan's will his mother, Pomellina Fregoso, now becomes her regent. Also according to the will, Claudine is to marry her cousin, Lamberto (Lambert).

The very same Lamberto contests the will with the support of the population. He forces Pomellina to agree to a joint regency. Pomellina stages an attempted coup which is designed to kill Lamberto but he escapes, overthrows Pomellina's regency, and assumes Claudine's rights of sovereignty.

Today's Roquebrune-Cap-Martin is located directly to the east of Monaco, and was a holding of the lords and princes of Monaco until the nineteenth century

1457 - 1458

Grandmother & regent. Deposed. Confined to Menton.

1458 - 1494

Husband of Claudine. Took control from 7 year-old wife.

1460

Pomellina, with help from her brother and from Pierre Grimaldi, attempts a second coup, this time to overthrow the usurper Lamberto. His wedding has already been postponed due to Claudine's young age, but he defeats the coup attempt in 1460 and marries Claudine in 1465.

1494 - 1505

Son. Murdered by his brother, Lucien.

1505

Lucien murders his brother, Jean, and succeeds him. Two versions of the assassination exist. According to a reliable history of the princes of Monaco which is written by François de Bernardy, the two brothers argue (the cause of which is unknown), and Lucien stabs Jean.

In another, portrayed in a graphic novel published by Dargaud in 1997, Lucien explains to his mother, Claudine, that Jean admits to a secret plan to sell Monaco to Venice.

During their quarrel, Lucien contends that the plan is a betrayal of the family and so he stabs Jean. Lucien confirms this account in a written explanation to the duke of Savoy, adding that his brother attacks Lucien with a dagger, and Lucien kills Jean in self-defence.

The Ottomans directly challenged the most powerful of Europe's Mediterranean empires in the form of the Venetian republic, leading to a series of vicious wars over the course of three centuries which are known as the Ottoman-Venetian Wars

1505 - 1523

Brother. Murdered by his nephew.

1506 - 1507

Genoa rebels against French control, managing to effect a restoration of its independence. Many Genoese flee to Monaco so Genoa besieges it for a total of five months before Lucien is able to break the siege in 1507.

1523

Bartholomew Doria of Dolceacqua, a nephew of Lucien, murders the ruling lord of Monaco. Bartholomew is also a cousin of the famous admiral, Andrea Doria, with resultant speculation that the admiral is involved in the plot, as he is in Monaco's harbour at the time and receives a message from Bartholomew just before the killing.

The message itself is thought to be a ploy to distract palace officials from the act of murder itself. Following the assassination, Bartholomew's followers drag the body down the steps in front of the palace to prove to the populace that the lord is indeed dead. The response is that Bartholomew and his men are driven out of Monaco.

With Spain - perhaps the most powerful European nation at this time - having already conquered large swathes of the central and southern Americas, other Europeans headed northwards to discover fresh territory and perhaps their own route to China

1523 - 1581

Son. Never directly ruled, preferring the regency.

1523

Honorė is only nine months old when he succeeds. Three regents govern in his name until he reaches his majority, beginning with his uncle, Augustine Grimaldi, brother of Lucien and bishop of Grasse.

1523 - 1532

Uncle and regent. Bishop of Grasse. Died.

1524

Bishop Augustine abandons Monaco's allegiance to France and instead makes it a protectorate of Spain. Monaco retains its independent rights and never submits as a vassal or subject (the Spanish protectorate lasts until 1641).

1532 - 1540

When Augustine dies in 1532, Blanche Grimaldi, baroness of Tourette and Honorė's aunt, becomes regent for a couple months, after which she is forced to leave Monaco. Finally, Ėtienne Grimaldi, baron of Bueil, is regent until 1540, at which point Honorė reaches his majority. He allows Ėtienne to continue as de facto ruler until his own death in 1561.

The 'Sack of Rome' while it was part of the Papal states followed the capture of the city on 6 May 1527 by the mutinous troops of Charles V, Holy Roman emperor, during the War of the League of Cognac, painted by Johannes Lingelbach

1532

Aunt of Honorė. Regent. Forced to leave.

1532 - 1540

Regent. Baron of Bueil.

1581 - 1589

Son of Honorė I.

1583

Charles refuses to pay homage to the dukes of Savoy for the fiefs of Menton and Roquebrune. Savoy declares him to have forfeited the cities, but Monaco retains possession of them.

1589 - 1604

Brother. Assassinated.

1604

Ercole is stabbed to death on the streets of Monaco by five or six assailants after leaving the house of Governor Gastaldi. His children are quickly hidden until their uncle, Federico Landi, arrives to take control as regent. The identity and motives of the assassins are never discovered.

1605 - 1641

Augustine abandons Monaco's allegiance to France and instead makes it a protectorate of Spain. Monaco retains its independent rights and never submits as a vassal or subject. In 1605, a new agreement between Monaco and Spain allows a Spanish garrison to be posted in Monaco. The Spanish protectorate lasts until 1641, when the French drive out the Spanish.

Monaco's Chapel of Sainte Dévote (Saint Devota) honours the patron saint of Monaco and Corsica, martyred about AD 303 during Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians, and today with a Formula 1 corner also bearing her name in Monaco's annual motor racing grand prix

1604 - 1662

Son. Aged 6. First 'sovereign prince' of 'Principality'.

1604 - 1616

Uncle. Regent. Prince of Val di Taro.

1604

Honorė succeeds at the age six. His regent is Ercole's brother-in-law, Federico Landi, prince of Val di Taro. Honorė becomes one of Monaco's most skilful rulers, deftly manoeuvring the principality's fortunes around the greater competing powers, whether France, Spain, Savoy, the Holy Roman empire, and others.

1612

Honorė II, lord of Monaco, begins using the title 'sovereign prince'. The Grimaldis are entitled to use the title thanks to their possessions in Italy. It takes nearly thirty years for the title to be fully accepted outside of Monaco but, from this point onwards, it is officially the 'Principality of Monaco'.