Margherita Aldobrandini
Encyclopedia
Margherita Aldobrandini (Capodimonte, Lazio, 29 March 1588 – Parma
, 9 August 1646) was a Duchess consort of Parma. She was the regent of Parma 1626-1628.
. She was married to Ranuccio I Farnese
on 7 May 1600 in Rome to seal the peace between the Aldobrandini and Farnese families, with the pope himself presiding at the ceremony. The marriage guaranteed Ranuccio a rich dowry and the independence of his duchy, still a fiefdom of the church entrusted to the Farnese family. Ranuccio was then aged 30 and Margherita only 11 and she only bore him a child ten years after the marriage. In view of this situation, Ranuccio's superstitious nature began to make itself felt - he convinced himself that his wife was suffering under curses and witchcraft. A short investigation concluded that Claudia Colla (a former lover of Ranuccio) and her mother (known as 'le Romane') were the witches and they were tried and convicted of witchcraft
. The couple's first child, Alessandro, was finally born in 1610, but he was born deaf. In 1612 Odoardo was born, followed in 1615 by Maria, who married Francesco I d'Este
, in 1618 by Vittoria and in 1619 by Francesco Maria
, the future cardinal.
A political marriage like most Farnese marriages, it proved unhappy and Margherita was not accounted a beauty, despite being devoted to her husband, an angry and dissolute man who had several affairs and illegitimate children. He died on 5 March 1622 and at first his heir Odoardo was put under the regency of cardinal Odoardo then, on Odoardo's death, of his mother, who then held it until he reached sixteen. She then continued living at the court until her death in 1646, which also saw Odoardo's death.
Parma
Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
, 9 August 1646) was a Duchess consort of Parma. She was the regent of Parma 1626-1628.
Life
The first child of Gianfrancesco and Olimpia Aldobrandini (1567–1637), grandchildren of pope Clement VIIIPope Clement VIII
Pope Clement VIII , born Ippolito Aldobrandini, was Pope from 30 January 1592 to 3 March 1605.-Cardinal:...
. She was married to Ranuccio I Farnese
Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma
Ranuccio I Farnese reigned as Duke of Parma, Piacenza and Castro from 1592. A firm believer in absolute monarchy, Ranuccio, in 1594, centralised the administration of Parma and Piacenza, thus rescinding the nobles' hitherto vast prerogative...
on 7 May 1600 in Rome to seal the peace between the Aldobrandini and Farnese families, with the pope himself presiding at the ceremony. The marriage guaranteed Ranuccio a rich dowry and the independence of his duchy, still a fiefdom of the church entrusted to the Farnese family. Ranuccio was then aged 30 and Margherita only 11 and she only bore him a child ten years after the marriage. In view of this situation, Ranuccio's superstitious nature began to make itself felt - he convinced himself that his wife was suffering under curses and witchcraft. A short investigation concluded that Claudia Colla (a former lover of Ranuccio) and her mother (known as 'le Romane') were the witches and they were tried and convicted of witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
. The couple's first child, Alessandro, was finally born in 1610, but he was born deaf. In 1612 Odoardo was born, followed in 1615 by Maria, who married Francesco I d'Este
Francesco I d'Este
Francesco I d'Este was Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1629 until his death. The eldest son of Alfonso III d'Este, he became reigning duke after his father's abdication.-Biography:...
, in 1618 by Vittoria and in 1619 by Francesco Maria
Francesco Maria Farnese
Francesco Maria Farnese was an Italian Roman Catholic cardinal.He was born in Parma, the son Ranuccio I Farnese, duke of Parma, and Margherita Aldobrandini, niece of Pope Clement VIII. He was appointed as cardinal by Pope Innocent X in 1644, but he never came to Rome to received the cardinal hat...
, the future cardinal.
A political marriage like most Farnese marriages, it proved unhappy and Margherita was not accounted a beauty, despite being devoted to her husband, an angry and dissolute man who had several affairs and illegitimate children. He died on 5 March 1622 and at first his heir Odoardo was put under the regency of cardinal Odoardo then, on Odoardo's death, of his mother, who then held it until he reached sixteen. She then continued living at the court until her death in 1646, which also saw Odoardo's death.
Issue
Margherita and Ranuccio had five children:- Alessandro;
- Odoardo;
- Maria (1616–1631), married Francesco I d'EsteFrancesco I d'EsteFrancesco I d'Este was Duke of Modena and Reggio from 1629 until his death. The eldest son of Alfonso III d'Este, he became reigning duke after his father's abdication.-Biography:...
; - VittoriaVittoria Farnese d'EsteVittoria Farnese was an Italian noblewoman. She was the daughter of Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma and Margherita Aldobrandini, niece of pope Clement VIII. On 12 February 1648 she married Francesco I d'Este, widower of her sister Maria Farnese...
(1618–1649), married Francesco I d'Este after Maria's death; - Francesco MariaFrancesco Maria FarneseFrancesco Maria Farnese was an Italian Roman Catholic cardinal.He was born in Parma, the son Ranuccio I Farnese, duke of Parma, and Margherita Aldobrandini, niece of Pope Clement VIII. He was appointed as cardinal by Pope Innocent X in 1644, but he never came to Rome to received the cardinal hat...
(1619–1647), the last Farnese cardinal, appointed in 1645