DYNASTY
T
he reign of Honoré II (1604–1662) in
many ways could be considered a mira-
cle against the turbulence of the age.
Not only did he protect Monaco’s inde-
pendence, he secured additional formal
recognition of it in the diplomatic arena
with clarity on the title Prince (rather than Lord or Sei-
gneur) and had the right to mint his own coinage since
1640.
And another transformation took place out of what had
been originally more a feature of the military fortifica-
tions on the Rock. The apartments for the Prince, previ-
ously enlarged and renovated by Honoré I, became even
more regal and palatial. And similarly with the Church of
Saint Nicholas.
While all the time lulling the Spanish occupiers into a
false sense of security Honoré was quietly planning his
crowning achievement — to rid Monaco of the oppres-
sive Spanish to whom it had become partially victim.
Honoré II lulled his Spanish host-occupiers into believ-
ing their strategy of limiting his powers was working.
They were happy to see him immerse himself in a role
devoted to cultural pursuits and entertainment of for-
eign guests. Meanwhile the Spanish kept a tight rein on
governance, protected by their occupying garrison on
the Rock. They also limited the role of the Monaco Rul-
ing Council much to the resentment of the Monegasque
population. In the meantime Honoré turned his custo-
dianship in the cultural domain into a strategic victory
for the Principality. Monaco became a magnet for po-
ets, artists, sculptors and musicians. The Princely Palace
joined Paris and Florence as a European centre of great
culture and learning. Indeed, the quality of the art col-
lection of Prince Honoré became a topic of conversation
across Europe.
Le Prince Honoré II (1597–1662), oil on canvas,
1651 by Philippe de Champaigne. The Prince’s Palace of Monaco collection
THE REIGN OF HONORÉ II IN MANY WAYS
COULD BE CONSIDERED A MIRACLE
AGAINST THE TURBULENCE OF THE AGE.
TREATY OF PÉRONNE
W
orking discreetly, Prince Honoré II negotiated
with Cardinal Richelieu of France, who repre-
sented King Louis XIII. Out of that came the
Treaty of Péronne (1641) which stipulated that Monaco
become a French protectorate. However, most impor-
tantly the independent status of the Prince was guaran-
teed. Monaco was also granted lands in France to com-
pensate for inevitable losses that the break from Spain
would entail. French troops were envisaged as garrison-
ing Monaco with their officers being directly answerable
to the Prince of Monaco rather than to the French State.
And just as importantly Monegasque independence was
to be maintained.
EXPULSION OF THE SPANISH
O
n November 17, 1641 Honoré II put his plan to
expel the Spanish garrison into effect. He quick-
ly imprisoned those individuals known to be
sympathetic to Spanish rule. Then that same evening he
threw a sumptuous banquet for the Spanish troops and
their commanders. The soldiers were given generous
amounts of alcohol to subdue them and then, at a prear-
ranged signal of a canon shot numerous Monegasques
sprang on the Spanish. French troops came rushing out
of hiding to finish them off and force them to surrender.
Records report only 5 killed and 10 wounded before
the Spanish garrison yielded. Monaco then officially ex-
pelled them and Honoré relinquished his Spanish honor-
ary title of Order of the Golden Fleece. As expected the
Spanish confiscated all of the Prince’s property in Spain
and Monaco’s Spanish-linked possessions in Italy.
DUKE OF VALENTINOIS
T
he French compensated Honoré for the losses
of land and titles. Louis XIII made Honoré II the
Duke of Valentinois, Count of Carladès, Baron of
Buis and Calvinet as well as granting him the lands and
title of St-Rémy. The monarchs of France and Monaco
became very close. Thus when Honoré was approached
by English Royalists to harbour a fleet in Monaco with
the intention of wrestling power from Cromwell, Honoré
consulted with France’s Cardinal Mazarin who was look-
ing to ally with Cromwell against Spain. On Mazarin’s
advice he very diplomatically resisted.
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