Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma

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Ranuccio I Farnese.
Portuguese royalty
House of Aviz-Beja

Manuel I
Children include
   Miguel da Paz, Prince of Portugal and of Asturias
   João, Prince of Portugal (future John III)
   Isabella, Holy Roman Empress
   Infanta Beatriz, Duchess of Savoy
   Infante Luís, Duke of Beja
   Infante Fernando, Duke of Guarda and Trancoso
   Cardinal-Infante Afonso
   Henry I
   Infante Duarte, Duke of Guimarães
   Infanta Maria, Lady of Viseu
Grandchildren include
   Philip II of Spain and I of Portugal)
   Anthony I (illegitimate)
   Infanta Maria of Guimarães, Duchess of Parma and Piacenza
   Infanta Catarina of Guimarães, Duchess of Braganza
Great-Grandchildren include
   Teodósio II, Duke of Braganza
   Ranuccio I Farnese of Parma
Great-Great-Grandchildren include
   John II, Duke of Braganza (future John IV)
John III
Children include
   Maria Manuela, Princess of Portugal and of Asturias
   João Manuel, Prince of Portugal
Grandchildren include
   Sebastião, Prince of Portugal (future Sebastian I)
   Carlos, Prince of Asturias
Sebastian
Henry
Anthony

Ranuccio I Farnese (March 28, 1569March 5, 1622) was the fourth Duke of Parma and Piacenza from 1592 until his death. He was the son of Alessandro Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza, and Maria of Portugal.

His great-uncle Henry I of Portugal's death triggered the struggle for the throne of Portugal when Ranuccio was 11 years old. As the son of the late elder daughter of Edward, Duke of Guimaraes, the only son of King Manuel I whose legitimate descendants survived at that time, Ranuccio was according to the feudal custom the first heir to the throne of Portugal. However his father was an ally and even a subject of the Spanish king, another contender, so Ranuccio's rights were not very forcibly claimed. Instead, Ranuccio's mother's younger sister Catherine, Duchess of Braganza, claimed the throne, very ambitiously, but failed.

Under Ranuccio I's rule, the dukedom annexed the territories of Colorno, Sala Baganza, and Montechiarugolo. He guided a cultural renewal in the city of Parma, supporting the arts and constructing the 4,500 seat Farnese Theater. Numerous improvements and monuments in Parma were constructed under Ranuccio I at his behest, including a revitalization of the University of Parma and the final expansion of the city walls. Construction of the Palazzo della Pilotta, the court palace of the Farnese family, was completed in 1620.

Ranuccio I is also remembered for his cruelty, one infamous example being the public execution of over 100 Parma residents suspected of conspiring against him.

He was succeeded by his son Odoardo, initially under the regency of Ranuccio's brother, Odoardo Cardinal Farnese.

Ancestors

Ranuccio I Farnese's ancestors in three generations
Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma Father:
Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma
Paternal Grandfather:
Ottavio Farnese, Duke of Parma
Paternal Great-grandfather:
Pier Luigi Farnese, Duke of Parma
Paternal Great-grandmother:
Girolama Orsini
Paternal Grandmother:
Margaret of Austria
Paternal Great-grandfather:
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Paternal Great-grandmother:
Johanna Maria van der Gheynst
Mother:
Infanta Maria of Guimarães
Maternal Grandfather:
Infante Duarte, Duke of Guimarães
Maternal Great-grandfather:
Manuel I of Portugal
Maternal Great-grandmother:
Maria of Aragon
Maternal Grandmother:
Isabel of Braganza
Maternal Great-grandfather:
James, 4th Duke of Braganza
Maternal Great-grandmother:
Louise of Medina-Sidonia

References


Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma
Born: 28 March 1569 Died: 5 March 1622
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Alessandro
Duke of Parma and Piacenza
1592-1622
Succeeded by
Odoardo

Wikipedia content modification information:

  • This page was last modified on 21 November 2008, at 13:40.

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