Savelli family

Last updated
Savelli family
Coat of arms of the House of Savelli.svg
CountryFlag of the Papal States (1808-1870).svg  Papal States
Founded11th century
Titles
Dissolution1712

The House of Savelli (de Sabellis in documents) were a rich and influential Roman aristocratic family who rose to prominence in the 13th century, and which included several popes, senators and condottieri. [1] They dominated the city in rivalry with the first generation of great Roman families, the Colonna, the Orsini, the Caetani and the Annibaldi, later being overshadowed by the emergence of the second generation represented by the Chigi, Borghese, Barberini, Doria Pamphili and Sforza Cesarini families.

Contents

History

The Coat of Arms of the Savelli over a wall of the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome. Campitelli - Aracoeli stemma Savelli ingresso laterale 1010839.JPG
The Coat of Arms of the Savelli over a wall of the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome.

The family, who held the lordship of Palombara Sabina, took their name from the rocca (castle) of Sabellum, [2] near Albano, which had belonged to the counts of Tusculum before it passed to the Savelli. Early modern genealogies of the Savelli, such as the unpublished manuscript "eulogistic treatise" [3] compiled by Onofrio Panvinio, [4] drew connections to Pope Benedict II, a possible but undocumentable connection, and even to the cognomen Sabellius of Antiquity.

They provided at least two popes: Cencio Savelli, Pope Honorius III (1216–1227) and Giacomo Savelli, Honorius IV (1285–1287). [5] His father, Luca Savelli, was a Roman senator and sacked the Lateran in 1234. Luca's decision to side with Emperor Frederick II against Honorius III's successor, Gregory, brought various material benefits to the family, including some fiefs in the Sabina region. Honorius' brother, Pandolfo Savelli, was the podestà of Viterbo in 1275.

Later members include the condottieri Silvio and Antonello Savelli. Savelli Cardinals include Giovanni Battista Savelli (1471 in pectore, 1480); Giacomo Savelli (1539); Silvio Savelli (1596); Giulio Savelli (1615); Fabrizio Savelli (1647); Paolo Savelli (1664); and Domenico Savelli (1853). [6] The last member of the family left in Rome was Giulio Savelli, who died in 1712.

By the 17th century, the Savelli had fallen on lean times. Castel Gandolfo had been relinquished under terms of Pope Clement VIII's "bull of the barons" to the Papal treasury in return for a mere 150,000 scudi in 1596, and in 1650 Albano, with its princely title, was turned over to the Savalli family. [7]

A collateral branch, the Giannuzzi Savelli ('Giannuzzi' adopted later on) represents descendants of Antonio Savelli of Rignano who moved to the Kingdom of Naples in 1421 to fight as a condottiero. [1] This branch, in turn, is divided into two lines. The first line inherited the title of Prince of Cerenzia (principe di Cerenzia) in 1769 from Ippolita Rota, the mother of Ercole Giannuzzi Savelli of the barons of Pietramala who was last of her house. Members of this line included the republican patriot Luigi Giannuzzi Savelli of the Princes of Cerenzia who was shot 3 April 1799 by orders of Cardinal Ruffo. [8] During the 20th century, this line of the Princes of Cerenzia extinguished in the House of Paternò who assumed its titles. The second line, of the Barons of Pietramala and Patricians of Cosenza is still flourishing today.

Popes

Giacomo Savelli (c1210-87), who reigned as Pope Honorius IV from 1285 to 1287. Pope Honorius IV.jpg
Giacomo Savelli (c1210-87), who reigned as Pope Honorius IV from 1285 to 1287.

In brackets the year of the beginning and end of his pontificate:

Cardinals

In parentheses the year of nomination as a cardinal:

Military leaders and military men

Monument to Paolo Savelli (1350-1405) Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari Frari (Venice) right transept - Monument to Paolo Savelli.jpg
Monument to Paolo Savelli (1350–1405) Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Senators of Rome

Notes

  1. 1 2 Norbert M. Borengässer (1994). "Savelli, röm. Adelsfamilie (de Sabellis)". In Bautz, Traugott (ed.). Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL) (in German). Vol. 8. Herzberg: Bautz. cols. 1446–1447. ISBN   3-88309-053-0.
  2. "Reversus Albam postera die ad nemora inferiora descendit spectatu digna sub castello, quod Sabellum vocant, unde Sabellae familiae nomen inditum." Flavio Biondo, Commentarii XI.22
  3. So described by Charles T. Davis in "Roman Patriotism and Republican Propaganda: Ptolemy of Lucca and Pope Nicholas III" Speculum50.3 (July 1975:411-433) p. 424.
  4. Onofrio Panvinio, De gente Sabella, edited by Enrico Celani, in: Studi e documenti di storia e diritto12 (1891:271-309).
  5. Four popes are claimed in the Website of Savelli Family Stores: "The Savelli name belongs to an old Roman family that has given the church four Popes: Benedict II, Gregory II, Honorius III and Honorius IV." However, according to the modern historiography the attribution of Pope Honorius III to the Savelli family is incorrect (S. Miranda Cardinal Cencio – Pope Honorius III (note 1); Werner Maleczek, Papst und Kardinalskolleg von 1191 bis 1216, Vienna 1984, p. 111-112). The attribution of Benedict II and Gregory II to that family started only in the 15th century and is also very unlikely.
  6. Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church
  7. George L. Williams, "Savelli, part II", Papal Genealogy: The Families And Descendants of the Popes, 2004:112.
  8. Giuseppe Aragona, Cerenzia, Historical Notes on the Antiquity of the City and the Modern Town, translated by Tom Lucente online text
  9. 1 2 Erasmo, M. (2015). Strolling Through Rome: The Definitive Walking Guide to the Eternal City. I.B.Tauris. p. 99. ISBN   978-0-85773-889-9 . Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  10. San Giorgio in Velabro (diaconia)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orsini family</span> Italian noble family

The House of Orsini is an Italian noble family that was one of the most influential princely families in medieval Italy and Renaissance Rome. Members of the Orsini family include five popes: Stephen II (752–757), Paul I (757–767), Celestine III (1191–1198), Nicholas III (1277–1280), and Benedict XIII (1724–1730). The family also included 34 cardinals, numerous condottieri, and other significant political and religious figures. The Orsini are part of the Black nobility who were Roman aristocratic families who supported the Popes in the governance of the Papal States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pope Honorius III</span> Head of the Catholic Church from 1216 to 1227

Pope Honorius III, born Cencio Savelli, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 18 July 1216 to his death. A canon at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, he came to hold a number of important administrative positions, including that of Camerlengo. In 1197, he became tutor to the young Frederick II. As pope, he worked to promote the Fifth Crusade, which had been planned under his predecessor, Innocent III. Honorius repeatedly exhorted King Andrew II of Hungary and Emperor Frederick II to fulfill their vows to participate. He also gave approval to the recently formed Dominican and Franciscan religious orders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pope Honorius IV</span> Head of the Catholic Church from 1285 to 1287

Pope Honorius IV, born Giacomo Savelli, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 2 April 1285 to his death, in 1287. During his pontificate he largely continued to pursue the pro-French political policy of his predecessor, Martin IV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church</span> Office of the Papal household

The Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church is an office of the papal household that administers the property and revenues of the Holy See. Formerly, his responsibilities included the fiscal administration of the Patrimony of Saint Peter. As regulated in the apostolic constitution Pastor bonus of 1988, the Camerlengo is always a cardinal, though this was not the case prior to the 15th century. His heraldic arms are ornamented with two keys – one gold, one silver – in saltire, surmounted by an ombrellino, a canopy or umbrella of alternating red and yellow stripes. These also form part of the coat of arms of the Holy See during a papal interregnum. The Camerlengo has been Kevin Farrell since his appointment by Pope Francis on 14 February 2019. The Vice Camerlengo has been Archbishop Ilson de Jesus Montanari since 1 May 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Sabina</span> Church in Rome, Italy

The Basilica of Saint Sabina is a historic church on the Aventine Hill in Rome, Italy. It is a titular minor basilica and mother church of the Roman Catholic Order of Preachers, better known as the Dominicans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Maria in Ara Coeli</span> Roman Catholic basilica, a landmark of Rome, Italy

The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Altar in Heaven is a titular basilica in Rome, located on the highest summit of the Campidoglio. It is still the designated church of the city council of Rome, which uses the ancient title of Senatus Populusque Romanus. The present cardinal priest of the Titulus Sanctae Mariae de Aracoeli is Salvatore De Giorgi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castel Savelli</span> Castle in Lazio, Italy

Castel Savelli was a castle near Albano Laziale, in the Lazio region of central Italy. The Savelli family had owned the estate since the 1160s, and build the castle during the papal reign of Pope Honorius III (1216–1227) and Pope Honorius IV (1285–1287). The castle was razed by the forces of cardinal Giovanni Vitelleschi in 1435, and never rebuilt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santi Giovanni e Paolo al Celio</span> Roman Catholic basilica, a landmark of Rome, Italy

The Basilica of Saints John and Paul on the Caelian Hill is an ancient basilica church in Rome, located on the Caelian Hill. It was originally built in 398.

Giovanni Boccamazza was an Italian Cardinal. He was from the Roman nobility, and was a nephew of Cardinal Giacomo Savelli, who had been an important figure in the Roman Curia since his creation as cardinal in 1261.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">April 1555 papal conclave</span> Election of Pope Marcellus II

The April 1555 papal conclave was convoked after the death of Pope Julius III. Cardinals at the conclave generally grouped themselves into three major factions, according to their alignment with the French House of Valois, the Hapsburgs, or Italian states that remained independent of both major Catholic powers. After preparing a conclave capitulation that compelled whichever cardinal was elected pope to maintain neutrality in European wars, cardinals from the Holy Roman Empire joined in supporting the French faction's candidate, Cardinal Marcello Cervini. Cervini was elected Julius's successor, and chose to maintain his baptismal (birth) name as his papal name, becoming consecrated as Marcellus II.

Giovanni Battista Savelli was an Italian Roman Catholic cardinal. He was born into the aristocratic Savelli family, which had produced two popes: Honorius III (1216–1227) and Honorius IV (1285–1287) and numerous cardinals carrying this surname: Bertrando, Silvio, Giulio, Fabrizio, Paolo and Domenico Savelli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1216 papal election</span> Election of Pope Honorius III

The 1216 papal election, was convoked after the death of Pope Innocent III in Perugia, elected Cardinal Cencio Camerario, who took the name of Honorius III.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1287–1288 papal election</span> Election of Pope Nicholas IV

The 1287–88 papal election was the deadliest papal election in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, with six of the sixteen cardinal electors perishing during the deliberations. Eventually, the cardinals elected Girolamo Masci, O.Min. as Pope Nicholas IV, almost a year after the death of Pope Honorius IV, who died on April 3, 1287. Nicholas IV was the first Franciscan pope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perugia Papacy</span>

Perugia was a long-time papal residence during the 13th century. Five popes were elected here: Pope Honorius III (1216–1227), Pope Clement IV (1265–1268), Pope Honorius IV (1285–1287), Pope Celestine V (1294), and Pope Clement V (1305–1314). These elections took place in the Palazzo delle Canoniche adjoining the Perugia Cathedral.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fabrizio Savelli</span>

Fabrizio Savelli was an Italian military leader, commander of papal troops and, later, a Catholic Cardinal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raniero Capocci</span> Italian cardinal and military leader

Raniero Capocci, also known as Ranieri, Rainier, or Rainerio da Viterbo was an Italian cardinal and military leader, a fierce adversary of emperor Frederick II.

Gervasius Giançolet de Glincamp was born in the diocese of Mans, son of Gervais, great-grandson of Eudes, chevalier and seigneur de Groestel. He was a Roman Catholic cardinal and diplomat. He had a brother, Jean de Glincamp, who became Abbot of S. Remi in Reims. Another relative, a first-cousin, Robert de Glincamp, was bishop of Mans (1298-1309).

Savelli is an Italian surname that may refer to:

References