DID YOU KNOW ?
Situated on one of the most strategic promontories in the Mediterranean , its Rock fortress has a port aptly named after Hercules — it was for centuries a prize sought after by every state who craved a powerful naval presence . All the Italian feudal states , including Genoa and Naples , regional powers Savoy and Provence and the dominant local maritime powers France and Spain ; all of them coveted the Rock and its port .
In this festering cauldron of rivalries , where diplomacy and negotiation preceded or followed military might , titles mattered . In the three key areas , diplomacy , naval and military power Monaco always had to be reckoned with . It was not in Monaco ’ s destiny to owe fealty or homage to a feudal Duke or be a vassal state . The initial title of Lord or Seigneur held enough sway locally in the initial centuries of Grimaldi rule . But surrounded by Dukes , and Kings , the title Prince lent more credence to Monaco ’ s stature and independence . The Principality might make alliances as a “ protectorate ” with the great powers , France and Spain in particular , but it was never a “ vassal state ” and always kept its independence . The title Prince became the ideal indication of Monaco ’ s independence and equality amongst the myriad of rival powers — no matter that they be led by Kings , Emperors , Dukes or even the Pope .
This was the strategic period when Honoré II ejected the Spanish “ protectors and occupiers ” from the Rock . Still , the title of Lord ( Seigneur ) was prevalent for just over the first 300 years of the Grimaldi reign on the Rock from Rainier the First 1297 – 1301 until Hercule I who was in power from 1589 to 1604 . It was his stunning success in ejecting the Spanish “ occupying protectors ” from the Rock and choosing to ally instead with France that gave Honoré II the title that all future leaders of Monaco were destined to have .
TREATY OF PÉRONNE
Throwing the Spanish out came at a price — Honoré II lost many Spanish acquisitions , in the Italian states in particular . King Louis XIII of France in the 1641 Treaty of Péronne made up the losses awarding Honoré rule over Menton and Roquebrune plus 5 titles which attached to further estates in France including : Duke ( Duc ) de Valentinois , Marquis des Baux , Count ( Comte ) de Carlades , Baron de Calvinet et du Buis , Seigneur de Saint Rémy .
Cardinal Mazarin ( 1602 – 1661 ), one of the great dignitaries of France , put forward Louise d ’ Aumont with her 12 titles to marry into the Grimaldis .
But the King of France , Louis XIII ’ s greatest bequest to Honoré II was formal recognition of his status as Prince . In addition to the Treaty of Péronne Titles there are many extra ! Where did they come from ? They originated from marriages of Monaco ’ s Princely heirs to titled French illustrious personalities .
In an interesting twist the “ French connection ” to the titles was lost in 1949 when Prince Louis II of Monaco died without a male heir — his daughter Charlotte marry
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Honoré II , the first prince of Monaco
LORD ( SEIGNEUR )
From 1297 with Rainier I , even up until the beginning of the 16th century under Hercule I , the Grimaldi sovereigns were respectfully referred to as Lord ( Seigneur ). Informally Monaco ’ s Sovereign Lord may well have been accorded a “ Princely ” deference even before the opportunity came to formalize it under the Treaty of Péronne .
Jacques , Hereditary Prince of Monaco , Marquis of Baux , and Princess Gabriella , Countess of Carladès , with their parents ( Monaco National Day , 2019 )
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