Grimaldi Family

Grimaldi Family

▪ Italian family
      one of the major families of Genoa, prominent in Guelf (pro-papal) politics and supporters of the Angevin kings of Naples. The Grimaldis became lords of Monaco in the 15th century.

      Descended from a 12th-century Grimaldo who was several times consul of the Genoese commune, the Grimaldi and another important family, the Fieschi (Fieschi Family), headed the Guelf party during the struggles between the papacy and the empire and allied themselves with the French prince Charles of Anjou, then king of Naples. In 1297 the Grimaldi seized power in Monaco, turning it into a base of operations against the Genoese Ghibellines. But over the next century they alternately lost and won control of the city, during a period of turbulent politics and wars throughout Italy.

      The Grimaldi contributed many admirals and ambassadors to Genoa during the popular dogeship (1339–1528) but continued their intermittent connection with Monaco; in 1395 Giovanni and Luigi Grimaldi profited by civil strife in Genoa to seize Monaco, losing it, however, shortly after to the French. In 1419 a branch of the family succeeded in taking what proved to be final possession of Monaco, though they did not assume the title of prince until 1659.

      During the French Revolution the Grimaldi were dispossessed, and Monaco was annexed to France. With the Treaty of Paris of 1814, they regained the principality. Notable among the Grimaldi princes was Albert I (1848–1922), who gave Monaco a constitution in 1911. An enthusiastic oceanographer, he founded the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco and the Oceanographic Institute in Paris. His great-grandson Rainier III became prince in 1949, marrying Grace Kelly, American motion-picture actress, in 1956.

      Other lines of the family remained in Genoa and continued to constitute one of that city's wealthiest and most numerous families. During the period of the “aristocratic republic” (1528–1797), six Grimaldi were Genoese doges, while other members of the family served as senators, magistrates, diplomats, and prelates.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Grimaldi family — /grəˈmældi/ (say gruh maldee) noun a European ruling house which includes the royal family of Monaco …  

  • Grimaldi Industri — AB of Stockholm, Sweden, is a company with many holdings, including: Alpha Sweden Cycleuropa Group The company manufactures such brands as: Bianchi, Crescent, DBS, Everton, Gitane, Kildemoes, Legnano, Micmo, Monark, Puch, Spectra, Contento… …   Wikipedia

  • Grimaldi — House of Grimaldi, Genoese family and rulers of Monaco.Grimaldi may also refer to: * Grimaldi, Calabria, town in Province of Cosenza, Calabria, Italy * Grimaldi (crater), a crater on the Moon * Grimaldi Industri AB, a Swedish holding company *… …   Wikipedia

  • Grimaldi Scaled Squid — Taxobox name = Grimaldi Scaled Squid regnum = Animalia phylum = Mollusca classis = Cephalopoda subclassis = Coleoidea ordo = Teuthida subordo = Oegopsina familia = Lepidoteuthidae familia authority = Pfeffer, 1912 genus = Lepidoteuthis genus… …   Wikipedia

  • Grimaldi Lines — Die Grimaldi Lines ist eine italienische Fährgesellschaft, die zur Grimaldi Gruppe gehört. Sie operiert in mehreren Ländern, wobei sowohl Fracht als auch Passagiere befördert werden. Schwerpunktmäßig wird jedoch allein auf den Frachtverkehr… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Grimaldi, Joseph — ▪ English clown and pantomimist born Dec. 18, 1778, London died May 31, 1837, London  English clown and pantomimist.       Grimaldi came from a family of dancers and entertainers and made his debut as a dancer at age four at the Sadler s Wells… …   Universalium

  • House of Grimaldi — Royal house surname =House of Grimaldi estate = coat of arms = country =Monaco parent house = titles =Consul of Genoa, Prince of Monaco founder =Grimaldo Canella final ruler = current head =Albert II, Prince of Monaco founding year =1160… …   Wikipedia

  • Girolamo Grimaldi-Cavalleroni — infobox cardinalbiog name = Girolamo Cardinal Grimaldi Cavalleroni See = Archdiocese of Aix Title = Cardinal bishop of Albano; Archbishop of Aix Period = September 20, 1648 mdash;November 4, 1685 cardinal = August 17, 1611 Predecessor = Michel… …   Wikipedia

  • Lamberto Grimaldi — (1420 ndash; March 1494) was a Lord of Monaco (since March 16, 1458). 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… …   Wikipedia

  • Château Grimaldi (Antibes) — See also Château Grimaldi (disambiguation) for other Châteaux of the same name The Château Grimaldi The Château Grimaldi at Antibes is built upon the foundations of the ancient Greek town of Antipolis. Antibes is a resort town in the Alpes… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”