dynasty
In 1355, Rainier II set off to assist the French king with 24 warships and 6,000 archers under his command. He fought for the French in the epic battle of Poitiers on September 19, 1356, which was lost, mainly because the French troops were disorganized. The French King Jean II was captured by the British. Eventually, France fought back, the King was released and both sides signed a peace treaty.
The new King of France, Charles V the Wise, undertook to restore the French fleet and largely used Mediterranean ports, including that of Monaco. During that time, Rainier II who was patrolling the English Channel with 4 of his ships encountered English vessels carrying Charles II of Navarre on board. Rainier II captured one of those ships which he later sold in Normandy. The British were eager to avenge such a humiliating defeat. They attacked a group of Genoese ships but were once again forced to retreat by Rainier II who came to help his allies. Lots of stories are told about Rainier II and his sea victories. It is sometimes difficult to tell the historical facts from legends, but one thing is sure: the Lord of Monaco guarded his coast like a lion and would not let any enemy sneak in.
Once, in 1375, Rainier II was captured in a sea battle by superior enemy forces under the command of the Duke of Lancaster. King Edward III of England bought the captive Lord of Monaco from the Duke of Lancaster for 12,000 francs in gold, making him his prisoner. Soon, however, following another truce between France and England, Rainier II was released from captivity. After that, he still fought with the French army against the British and won many battles. A few years later, Rainier II left the French service to return back to the Riviera. Historians believe that this was due to frequent pirate raids around the coast of Monaco. France being absorbed in its long conflicts with England was not able to protect the Monegasques. Profiting from these wars, in 1357 the Genoese attacked and seized the Principality, depriving Rainier II of his Lord of Monaco title. Over the next two years, there was a constant struggle between the Genoese and Grimaldi clans for the ownership of the Principality; it was constantly passing from one to another. The conflict was finally resolved by the sons of Rainier II.
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Rainier II
Lots of stories are told about Rainier II sea victories. It is sometimes difficult to tell the historical facts from legends, but one thing is sure: the Lord of Monaco guarded his coast like a lion and would not let any enemy sneak in
Three sons of Rainier II: Drafting rules for the succession to the throne
The Lord of Monaco, Rainier II died in 1407, leaving behind his three sons: Ambroise, Antoine and Jean who were to regain control over Monaco and consolidate the state for the Grimaldi family. They agreed to rule over the Principality together, alternately replacing each other as a governing lord. This triumvirate lasted for 7 years.
The brothers managed to regain full control over Monaco only in 1419 having resolved a number of local conflicts between the Duke of Anjou, the Genoese and the Monegasques.
Antoine and Ambroise even tually gave up their claims to the Principality in exchange for Menton and Roquebrune. Jean I became the fully-fledged and unanimous ruler of Monaco. At that time he was 25, a fearless and enterprising prince, just like his father. Not surprisingly he gained fame as a hired soldier and was often invited with his troops to fight on the side of this or that noble, taking part in numerous battles. His reign over Monaco was anything but peaceful. Even if the Principality was back in the hands of the Grimaldis, local conflicts were multiplying and many still wished to make Monaco their own vassal territory. In the 1430s, after a number of local battles, Monaco passed under the control of the Dukes of Milan. Back then, Jean I was away, involved in some other military and political intrigues. The Principality was besieged by
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