Do you know the history of Monaco in the Middle Ages? We tell you
There was a time when Monaco only had a few hundred inhabitants. This small Mediterranean enclave at the end of Provence, populated by fishermen, lived nestled on its Rock. Below was, in addition to a few dwellings, a chapel which had been built near the grotto where, according to tradition, Saint Dévote had been buried.
In 1191, Monaco was ceded to Genoa by the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI, then transformed into a fortress in 1215 by the Genoese Ghibelline family.
It was in January 1297 that the famous episode of the Guelf François Grimaldi takes place who, disguised as a monk, entered the fortress and, with a few men, took over the place. He then installed the Grimaldi dynasty in Monaco. His cousin Rainier 1st became its first lord.
So will begin two centuries of struggles between the Genoese families of the Guelphs and the Ghibellines to possess Monaco. The first were partisans of the pope, the second of the Germanic emperor.
The Ghibellines victorious in 1301
In April 1301, the Ghibellines led by their leader Nicolas Spinola presented themselves at the foot of the Rock. The men climb towards the fortress in disorderly ranks, protected by their shields and chain mail. Catapults equipped with stone balls are installed around the walls. The Monegasques retaliate with throws of arrows and projectiles of all kinds. Fights take place in hand-to-hand combat and with swords.
On April 10, the Ghibellines were finally victorious and settled on the Rock. The Duke of Provence Charles II then cedes them La Turbie and Roquebrune, which he had formerly bought from the Guelphs. In compensation, he gave Rainier I the castles of Villeneuve, Vence and Cagnes.
Revenge of the Grimaldis in 1331
Thirty years later, in 1331, the son of Rainier I, Charles I Grimaldi, still has the idea of taking his revenge. Launching his men to attack the fortress, he captured it on 12 September. He then became lord of Monaco.
In 1346, he bought the seigneury of Menton for 16,000 gold florins from Manuel Vento, then that of Roquebune for 6,000 florins from Guillaume-Pierre Lascaris, count of Ventimiglia. He thus gave the Principality the appearance it had until 1861.
But the Genoese have not said their last word. In 1357, they resulted in an impressive fleet of twenty galleys. Their captain is none other than the corsair doge Simon Boccanegra. Four thousand men disembark. A siege is established around the fortress. It will last several weeks. Charles I dies during the operations.
His heir Rainier II being only 7 years old, his grand-uncle (brother of Rainier I) became regent. A fierce resistance is organized. But on August 15, 1357, Antoine decided to capitulate, while retaining Menton and Roquebrune. The Genoese are once again masters of Monaco.
The return of the Genoese
The Genoese and Monegasque presences will continue to alternate. In 1395, it was Louis I Grimaldi, third son of Charles I who took over the Rock. After twelve months, the Genoese chased him away.
Two years later, thanks to an intervention by the King of France Charles VI, Louis I Grimaldi regains his throne. He remained there until his death in 1402. It was then that, in a major strategic reversal, the same king of France replaced Monaco under the Genoese yoke.
In 1417, fifteen years later, a revolution brought the Guelphs back to power in Genoa. The consequences are felt in Monaco. The Grimaldis were re-established on the Rock through the three sons of Rainier II, Ambroise, Antoine and Jean 1er. Following the death of his two brothers, Jean I found himself alone at the head of Monaco in 1427.
This sovereign with an uncertain character gets lost in intrigues, alliances and betrayals. Imprisoned by the Duke of Milan, he is obliged to give him Monaco. This time Monaco is no longer in the hands of the Genoese but of the Milanese!
When Jean II died in 1454 after being freed and having regained his throne, a long continuous period of half a century began during which the Grimaldis followed one another: Catalan, son of Jean 1st; Claudine, daughter of Catalan (in 1457); Lambert, husband of Claudine (in 1458); Jean II, son of Lambert and Claudine (in 1494).
Jean II Grimaldi assassinated by his brother
Jean II is jealous of his brother Lucien who assassinates him and takes his place in 1505.
It was then that the Genoese army showed up again.
On December 7, 1506, ten thousand strong, it appeared on the outskirts of Monaco under the command of Tarlatino dei Talatini. After occupying Menton and burning Roquebrune, it sets up camp at the foot of the Rock. In January, it puts its artillery into action. Inside, Lucien and his men resist. On March 19, 1507, Tarlatini’s soldiers stormed the Serravalle tower of the Monegasque fortress. They receive a shower of arrows, stones, burning oils. They end up withdrawing on March 22.
This date is historic: the Genoese will never return to attack Monaco. A great page in the history of the Principality has been turned.