Lucien, Lord of Monaco
Encyclopedia
Lucien became Lord of Monaco
on 11 October 1505, having murdered his predecessor and brother, Jean II
, and held that sovereignty until his death.
(1420–1494) and Claudine Grimaldi (1451–1515). His elder brother Louis was disinherited due to insanity.
On 25 September 1514 he married Jeanne de Pontevès-Cabanes. The couple had at least five children;
broke free of France
, and many of its people fled to Monaco
for refuge. In December 1506, 14,000 Genoese troops besieged Monaco
and its castle
. The blockade
lasted for five months, until Lucien was able to route the Genoese in March 1507. Monaco
, and by extension Lucien, was now in a tight spot, being subjects of France
but caught in a diplomatic tight spot between France
and Spain
, trying to preserve its fragile independence.
In 1515, Lucien bought the feudal rights over the city of Menton
e, retained by the family of Anne de Lascaris, Countess of Villars, thus bringing the city, as a whole, under Monaco's sovereignty until the French Revolution
.
by his nephew, Bartholomew Doria
of Dolceaqua, son of Lucien's sister Francoise Doria, at the Prince's Palace of Monaco
. His body was dragged down the steps of the palace by Doria's men, to be shown to the disbelieving masses, thus inciting a riot wherein the people of Monaco chased Doria and his men out of the country.
Andrea Doria
, the famous admiral
and a cousin to Bartholomew, is believed have had prior knowledge of the assassination. The full extent of his compliance in this event is speculation, stemming from his being in the Port of Hercules with his squadron of ships on the day of the assassination and his having received a message from Bartholomew that was sent out of the palace just moments before Bartholomew carried out the assassination. The message was believed to have been a ruse to get rid of Lucien's major domo and twelve or fourteen of Lucien's armed men, leaving Lucien alone in the company of his nephew, but for one slave.
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
on 11 October 1505, having murdered his predecessor and brother, Jean II
Jean II, Lord of Monaco
Jean II/Giovanni II, was Lord of Monaco from March 1494 until his death. He was the eldest son of Lambert Grimaldi and Claudine Grimaldi .During his 11 year reign, he pursued the politics of his father...
, and held that sovereignty until his death.
Family and Marriage
He was the third son of Lambert GrimaldiLamberto Grimaldi
Lamberto Grimaldi was a Lord of Monaco . He was married to his cousin Claudine Grimaldi in 1465 in order to secure the Grimaldi inheritance of Monaco which by the small state's constitution could only pass to male heirs...
(1420–1494) and Claudine Grimaldi (1451–1515). His elder brother Louis was disinherited due to insanity.
On 25 September 1514 he married Jeanne de Pontevès-Cabanes. The couple had at least five children;
- Francesco (born c. 1516; died young)
- Claudine (born c. 1517)
- Lamberto (born c. 1519; died young )
- Rainier (born c. 1521; died young)
- HonoréHonoré I, Lord of MonacoHonoré I was Lord of Monaco from August 22, 1523 to October 7, 1581.Honoré was the youngest child of Lucien Grimaldi and Jeanne de Pontevès-Cabanes. He became Lord of Monaco at the age of 9 months, upon the assassination of his father on August 22, 1523...
(1522 – 7 October 1581)
Reign
A year after Lucien's reign began, GenoaGenoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
broke free of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and many of its people fled to Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
for refuge. In December 1506, 14,000 Genoese troops besieged Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
and its castle
Prince's Palace of Monaco
The Prince's Palace of Monaco is the official residence of the Prince of Monaco. Built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress, during its long and often dramatic history it has been bombarded and besieged by many foreign powers. Since the end of the 13th century, it has been the stronghold and home of the...
. The blockade
Blockade
A blockade is an effort to cut off food, supplies, war material or communications from a particular area by force, either in part or totally. A blockade should not be confused with an embargo or sanctions, which are legal barriers to trade, and is distinct from a siege in that a blockade is usually...
lasted for five months, until Lucien was able to route the Genoese in March 1507. Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
, and by extension Lucien, was now in a tight spot, being subjects of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
but caught in a diplomatic tight spot between France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, trying to preserve its fragile independence.
In 1515, Lucien bought the feudal rights over the city of Menton
Menton
Menton is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Situated on the French Riviera, along the Franco-Italian border, it is nicknamed la perle de la France ....
e, retained by the family of Anne de Lascaris, Countess of Villars, thus bringing the city, as a whole, under Monaco's sovereignty until the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
.
Assassination
On 22 August 1523, Lucien was assassinatedAssassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
by his nephew, Bartholomew Doria
Doria
Doria, originally de Auria , meaning "the sons of Auria", and then de Oria or d'Oria, is the name of an old and extremely wealthy Genoese family who played a major role in the history of the Republic of Genoa and in Italy, from the 12th century to the 16th century.-Origins:According to legend, a...
of Dolceaqua, son of Lucien's sister Francoise Doria, at the Prince's Palace of Monaco
Prince's Palace of Monaco
The Prince's Palace of Monaco is the official residence of the Prince of Monaco. Built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress, during its long and often dramatic history it has been bombarded and besieged by many foreign powers. Since the end of the 13th century, it has been the stronghold and home of the...
. His body was dragged down the steps of the palace by Doria's men, to be shown to the disbelieving masses, thus inciting a riot wherein the people of Monaco chased Doria and his men out of the country.
Andrea Doria
Andrea Doria
Andrea Doria was an Italian condottiere and admiral from Genoa.-Early life:Doria was born at Oneglia from the ancient Genoese family, the Doria di Oneglia branch of the old Doria, de Oria or de Auria family. His parents were related: Ceva Doria, co-lord of Oneglia, and Caracosa Doria, of the...
, the famous admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
and a cousin to Bartholomew, is believed have had prior knowledge of the assassination. The full extent of his compliance in this event is speculation, stemming from his being in the Port of Hercules with his squadron of ships on the day of the assassination and his having received a message from Bartholomew that was sent out of the palace just moments before Bartholomew carried out the assassination. The message was believed to have been a ruse to get rid of Lucien's major domo and twelve or fourteen of Lucien's armed men, leaving Lucien alone in the company of his nephew, but for one slave.
Notable Facts
- MonacoMonacoMonaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
issued a stamp in Lucien's honor, in 1967.
- Lucien was responsible for extensive repairs and additions to the Prince's Palace of MonacoPrince's Palace of MonacoThe Prince's Palace of Monaco is the official residence of the Prince of Monaco. Built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress, during its long and often dramatic history it has been bombarded and besieged by many foreign powers. Since the end of the 13th century, it has been the stronghold and home of the...
, resulting from damage received during the Geneose siege.
- Pope Adrian VIPope Adrian VIPope Adrian VI , born Adriaan Florenszoon Boeyens, served as Pope from 9 January 1522 until his death some 18 months later...
visited MonacoMonacoMonaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
during Lucien's reign, in 1522.