European Kingdoms

Republic of Monaco (Western Europe)
AD 1793 - 1814
Incorporating Republic of Monaco (1793), & French Monaco (1793-1814)

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The European region which makes up Monaco was inhabited by Ligurians in the first millennium BC. The Roman republic conquered them by the end of the first century BC, but the post-Roman empire period saw the region partially being depopulated. Land which would become today's principality of Monaco was only acquired by the republic of Genoa in 1191.

The early foundations of the 'Lordship of Monaco' would be laid during that Genoese colonial period, principally by the Grimaldis, a notable Guelph family which supported the medieval Papacy. They seized the Monaco colony in 1297 and generally governed thereafter, making them Europe's longest-serving dynasty.

From 1612 they used the title 'sovereign prince' to underline their independence as rulers of what was now the 'Principality of Monaco', while also holding the lordships of Menton and Roquebrune. The princes enjoyed the best of the eighteenth century Versailles court of the kings of France, but sympathy for republican ideas increased to the point of forming the French Revolution.

Ultimately, this new France annexed Monaco to trigger an uncertain period for what temporarily was the 'Republic of Monaco'. Prince Honorė III and his son, the future Honorė IV were deposed, arrested, and imprisoned, and the youngster developed poor health which he endured for the rest of his life.

Monaco was annexed, while the rock was renamed Fort Hercules. The principality remained a canton of France before being organised into a department in its own right for the duration of the republican and subsequent imperial period. It would only be restored as a fully independent 'Principality of Monaco' after the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814.

(Information by John De Cleene and the John De Cleene Archive, with additional information 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).)

1793

President of republican national convention.

1793

A national convention is established in Monaco in January 1793, with Joseph Barrière ainé as its republican president following the fall of the 'Principality of Monaco'. This is the local authority which requests annexation by France. The French republican government agrees in February and also appoints a military commandant, Armand Louis de Contant, duc de Lauzun, who is the commander-in-chief of the army of the French Republic in Italy.

The French revolutionary 'Reign of Terror' reached its peak between 5 September 1793 and 27 July 1794, with civil war mixing into desperate armed conflict with several hostile states, forcing the Revolutionary government to make terror the mainstay of its rule

1793

Commander-in-chief of the French army of Italy.

1793

The French national convention sends a couple of commissioners to Monaco for a few days prior to formal annexation. Then, for a few weeks, France assigns a president of provisional administration to govern Monaco.

1793

Commissioner.

1793

Commissioner.

1793

President of provisional administration.

1793 - 1795

Mayor of Fort Hercules.

1794 - 1795

Prince Honorė is released from prison in 1794 and is confined to house arrest. He dies in the following year, having been one of the longest-reigning monarchs in European history.

Honorė III attempted in vain to retain his position and titles during the fevered French 'First Republic' period, but he did manage to avoid the guillotine and kept his son and successor alive

1795 - 1819

Son of Honorė III. Titular prince until 1814.

1795 - 1796?

Mayor of Fort Hercules. First name unknown.

1796 - 1799

Mayor of Fort Hercules (former republican president).

1800

The Second Coalition has been formed by Austria and Russia against France. Piedmont is captured when the allies take Turin, Monaco is freed for a few weeks in May 1800 by Austrians and Sardinians, and the Cisalpine republic is dissolved when it is occupied by Austrians and Russians under General Suvurov. Monaco is supervised by allied commanders.

1800

Sardinian commander. First name unknown.

1800

Austrian commander. First name unknown.

1800

With French forces advancing back into Italy, the allied forces withdraw on 30 May 1800. French forces recapture Monaco on 31 May. Just two weeks later, on 14 June, the Second Coalition is effectively destroyed by an Austrian defeat at the Battle of Marengo.

One of Napoleon's most brilliant achievements was his Italian campaign, which ended with the Battle of Marengo on 14 June 1800 - Austria was ejected from Northern Italy and French power there was now unquestioned

1800 - 1802

Mayor of Fort Hercules.

1802 - 1804

Mayor of Fort Hercules for a second time.

1804 - 1814

Mayor of Fort Hercules.

1814

Under the first Treaty of Paris, Monaco is restored and again becomes a protectorate of France. Honorė IV, son of Honorė III, is restored as sovereign prince after a brief Austrian occupation and provisional government.

Following the end of Napoleon's 'One Hundred Days' return to power in Paris, the Treaty of Vienna makes Monaco a protectorate of Sardinia, a status which endures until 1860, ensuring the continuance of an independent 'Principality of Monaco'.