Simonetti family

The Simonetti family is an Italian noble family with origins in Tuscany. During the 12th Century different branches in Florence, Terni, Lucca, Pistoia and Pescia developed. Other famous branches of this family were established in Jesi, Palermo, Milan and Bologna.

Simonetti
Current regionWorldwide
Earlier spellingsSyminetti, Siminetti, Simonecti, Simoneth, della Sannella, Simmonette, Simonette
Place of originTuscany
TitlesCount, Baron, Prince, Consul (representative), Senator, Marquis

Members of this family have held different titles since the Middle Ages, among them: Lords of Jesi, Princes of Musone, marquis, Barons in the kingdom of Naples and Rome, counts in the kingdom of Italy and Bologna, senators and Consuls of Rome and the Kingdom of Italy.[1][2][3] The Simonetti also held positions in the Republic of Florence and the Republic of Lucca, among them priori of the signoria, gonfaloniere, captains, members of the council of the elders and the leadership of the Guelph party.[4][5][6]

Origin of the family
Theudelinda in a fresco by Zavattari. Theudelinda was the sister of Aripert I.

According to Eugenio Gamurrini and Ludovico Jacobilli the Simonetti from Terni, Milan, Florence, Jesi, Lucca, Osimo, Cingoli, had a single origin. Gamurrini linked the Florentine branch of the family to medieval Lucca but could not find the common ancestor that linked the Simonetti from Tuscany to the Simonetti from Jesi. He pointed to other facts that indicated the connection and the earlier research done by Jacobilli. According to Jacobilli the Simonetti branches were all descendants of a single line of Lombard barons that held fiefs in central Italy.[7] Gamurrini in his Istoria genealogica delle famiglie nobili Toscane et Umbre studied manuscripts that linked the Simonetti of Milan, Lucca and Florence to Teuprando, a Lombard lord living in Lucca and a descendant of Aripert I, King of the Lombards (see Bavarian Dynasty). Other noble families from Lucca also recognized Teuprando as their ancestor, including the Rolandinghi, Soffredinghi, and Opezinghi. All these families held control of vast areas in the Garfagnana region and held castles around the Lombard city of Barga.[8]

Other historians such as Lord Vernon were more conservative in their studies and researched documentation up to the beginning of the 13th century, still older documentation survived including documents related to Ranerio Simonecti (Raniero Simonetti), a wealthy nobleman who was alive in 1188[9] and who was also mentioned by E. Gamurrini. Vernon also studied the family's lordship of parts of the Val d’ Elsa and the castle of Colle.[10]

According to Villani the family was forced to renounce all its titles in Florence and was reduced to popolani (common citizens) for a short time. The same happened in Lucca, by the beginning of the 15th century they had temporarily lost all prerogatives of nobility in Lucca and Florence, however were still recognized as patricians.

Paradiso XVI by Dore.

Dante mentions the family by della Sannella, one of the ancient names of the family.[10] Dante placed the Simonetti family in Paradiso XVI, among the ancient noble families of Florence and Cacciaguida.

In Canto XVI of Paradiso, Dante says:

Therefore should not appear a marvellous thing
What I shall say of the great Florentines
Of whom the fame is hidden in the Past.

I saw the Ughi, saw the Catellini,
Filippi, Greci, Ormanni, and Alberichi,
Even in their fall illustrious citizens;

And saw, as mighty as they ancient were,
With him of La Sannella, him of Arca,
And Soldanier, Ardinghi, and Bostichi.[11]

Simonetti of Lucca

The Lucca branch of the family became private bankers to Edward I of England and the Pope. The family was also one of the three major banking family dynasties controlling the Riccardi Banks of Lucca. In the year 1308 the Simonetti, Quartigiani and other noble families were banned from holding public offices in Lucca. In 1317 the Quartigiani clan regained power and placed Castruccio Castracani in the office of captain-general of the Republic. After a few months in office Castruccio Castracani turned against his protectors and plotted against the Quartigiani clan, including the Simonetti branch of the family. Many members of the family were killed by Castruccio Castracani and the Simonetti family was banned from Lucca for the second time in a period of a few years. The Simonetti family returned to Lucca after the death of Castracani. Francisco Simonetti dei Quartigiani was pro Florence and influenced in the acquisition of Lucca by Florence in 1341. The Quartigiani and Simonetti were banned from holding office in Lucca for a third time after the reestablishment of the Republic in 1370. The palace and tower of the Simonetti and Quartigiani families were located in the center of Lucca, today called Quartigiani Tower or Torre delle ore (Clock Tower).

Simonetti of Jesi
Detail of the painting Madonna del Rosario by Lorenzo Lotto. The lady in the painting is according to local tradition Sperandia Simonetti, a noblewoman from Cingoli.[12]

The Simonetti first arrived in Jesi in the 12th century. According to Gamurrini, they were sent by emperor Barbarossa to govern Jesi as vicars. The first member of this family to appear in a document from Jesi was Raniero son of Capthio in 1201. Raniero was elected podestà of Jesi in 1216.[13] He had four sons, named: Simonetto, Capthio, Gualtiero and Bartolo. The last three became lords of the castle of Castriccione around Cingoli. Bartolo later joined the Sylvestrines and became leader of the order. Simonetto was elected podestà of Cerlongo and was the ambassador of Jesi to the government of the Marche. Simonetto had seven sons; among them were Mercenario Simonetti, a famous condottiero, Muzzolo and Oddone Simonetti, the last two became Lords of Donazzano. By 1286 the family was very powerful. As a result, they attracted the attention of the Pope and other lords. They were at this time Lords of Castriccione, the castle of Sasso, near Serra San Quirico, the castle of Santa Maria Nuova and other possessions in the Marche. Some members of the family joined the ghibellines during the 13th century and caused a struggle with Rome. The guelphs took Jesi and confiscated the property of the Simonetti and expelled the family from Jesi. In 1298 Rinaldo Simonetti signed a treaty with other nobles swearing allegiance to pope Boniface VIII.

Walls of Jesi built in the 13th century.

After struggles with the Malatesta family, Tano di Baligano, and Rome, the family returned to Jesi in the 14th century where Filippo Simonetti and Lomo Simonetti were De facto Lords of Jesi. The Church later recognized the lordship of Jesi by the Simonetti and declared the family vicars of the Holy See. The lordship was confirmed a second time by Pope Boniface IX in a papal bull from May 6, 1397. The family was banished from Jesi for a second time in the 15th century.[14] From this branch of the Simonetti originated the Simonetti from Osimo, Ancona and Cingoli. Some members of the Simonetti of Jesi migrated to Calabria, a famous member of this branch was Cicco Simonetta, secretary of Francesco Sforza.[15] According to Crollalanza the name was modified to Simonetta in Calabria.[15]

Princes of Musone

In a papal bull of August 9, 1805 Pope Pius VII created the title of Prince of Musone for Count Don Raniero Simonetti from Ancona and his descendants.[15] From this branch was also Cardinal Raniero Simonetti, governor of Rome in the 18th century.

People

Generic list of people named Simonetti:

From Tuscany:

  • Dom Bindo Simonetti (Lucca)
  • Francesco Simonetti dei Quartigiani (Lucca) - Nobleman from the house of Simonetti and Quartigiani. (14th century)
  • Ser Azzolino Simonetti (Lucca) - Nobleman and banker of the English crown. (14th century)
  • Ser Guido Simonetti (Lucca) - He was Podestà of Modena in 1299.[16]
    Cardinal Raniero Simonetti from Cingoli, he used the ancient coat of arms of the Simonetti of Jesi.
  • Dr. Francesco Simonetti (Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Lucca) - Italian patriot jailed for 3 years in 1835, he was accused of being a member of Giovine Italia.[17]
  • Count Luigi Simonetti - Consul of Lucca to Russia from 1834 to 1836.[18]
  • Antonio Simonetti (Lucca)- Master goldsmith from the 18th century. He was known for his fine work using the baroque style.
  • Bartolo Simonetti (Florence) - Patrician and chief of the Guelph party in Florence. He was executed by the Florentine people. (14th century)
  • Raniero Simonetti - Podestà of San Gimignano and Pistoia (c. 1199-1200), was also council of Florence.

From Jesi, Osimo, Ancona and Bologna (same branch):

Cardinal Giuseppe Simonetti from Sabina, he used the coat of arms of the Simonetti of Sabina.

From Modena:

  • Count Lorenzo Simonetti
  • Cardinal Lorenzo Simonetti

From Rome:

  • Marquis Alessandro Simonetti (1966-//) and daughter Valentina Simonetti (1999-//)
  • Michelangelo Simonetti (1724–1781) - Papal architect, he designed numerous neoclassical buildings in Rome and the Vatican.
  • Cardinal Giuseppe Simonetti (Rome)
  • Marquis Filippo Simonetti (Sabina, Rome)
  • Giacinta Simonetti (daughter of Marquis Simonetti, Rome. Mother of explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza)

From Naples:

  • Antonio Sanseverino, (ca. 1477-1543), Neapolitan branch; Cardinal Priest (1527-1537), Cardinal Bishop (1537–1543); Archbishop of Taranto (1528–1543).
  • Marquis Saverio Simonetti (Napoli, Secretary of State - Sicily)
  • Simonetti della Sanella
  • Gamurrini
  • Simonetti of Jesi
  • Simonetti of Florence
  • Quartigiani Tower - Lucca
  • Sercambi - Medieval Lucca

Further reading

U.Bosco, Encyclopedia Dantesca

Dante Alighieri, Divina Commedia (Divine Comedy) Paradiso: Canto XVI

Louis Green, Castruccio Castracani: A study on the Origins and Character of a Fourteenth-Century Italian Despotism (Oxford, 1986) Simonetti of Lucca - 27n., 86, 92n., 96n., 100, 197 and 194n.

Richard W. Kaeuper, Bankers to the Crown: The Riccardi of Lucca and Edward 1 (Princeton 1973)

Eugenio Gamurrini, Istoria genealogica delle famiglie nobili Toscane et Umbre (Firenze 1671)

Alberto Malvoti, Quelli della Volta (Comune di Fucecchio)

Ignazio Del Punta, Mercanti e banchieri lucchesi nel Duecento (Pisa, 2004)

Footnotes
  1. Dizionario Storico-Blasonico V. II Crollalanza, p. 534, 535
  2. Spreti, Vittorio- Enciclopedia Storico-Nobiliare Italiana, 1928, p. 328, 329
  3. Amayden, Theodoro - La storia delle famiglie romane, Volumes 1-2, p. 194
  4. Mecatti, Giuseppe Maria - Storia Genealogica della Nobilita e cittadinanza di Firenze, p. 387
  5. Bucker, Gene A. - Florentine Politics and Society 1343-1378 Note: Used Siminetti for Simonetti
  6. Louis Green, Castruccio Castracani: A study on the Origins and Character of a Fourteenth-Century Italian Despotism (Oxford, 1986) Simonetti of Lucca - 27n., 86, 92n., 96n., 100, 197 and 194n.
  7. Jacobilli, Ludovico Bibliotheca Umbriae
  8. Eugenio Gamurrini, Istoria genealogica delle famiglie nobili Toscane et Umbre (Firenze 1671) see Simonetti di Terni
  9. La Carte della Propositura di S. Stefano di Prato - INSTRUMENTUM LAUDI 1188 giugno 27, Firenze pg 437
  10. U.Bosco - Encyclopedia Dantesca - see Sannella p. 6 and p. 7
  11. Wikisource: The Divine Comedy/Paradiso/Canto XVI
  12. Government of the Marche, website accessed on June 04, 2010. Regione Marche
  13. Note: According to Crollalanza of the Italian Academy of Heraldry the office of podesta was at this time only available to members of the ancient nobility
  14. Crollalanza, Cav. G.B. - Giornale Araldico Genealogico Diplomatica dell' ACCADEMIA ARALDICA ITALIANA, Pisa 1877
  15. Annuario della nobiltà italiana 1881 Available online - Google books
  16. Lenzotti, Luigi - Intorno La Vita e Le Opere di Lodovico Vedriani, Modena 1882 - Available online - Google Books
  17. Vannucci, Atto, I martiri della libertà italiana dal 1794 al 1848, Volume 2, p. 140 Available online - Google Books
  18. Inventary - Archivio di Stato di Lucca, p. 604
  19. Biblioteca Comunale - Bologna
  20. Archivio di Stato di Siena, N. 191 1381 gennaio 3 - 1382 luglio 24 n.a 194 Deliberazioni del Consiglio Generale
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