House of Caracciolo

House of Caracciolo
Country Italy
Former countries
Founded10th century
FounderTeodoro Caracciolo
Titles
List
Cadet branches

The House of Caracciolo (Italian pronunciation: [kaˈrattʃolo]) (Italian: Casa Caracciolo) (Latin: Domus Caracciolo) is a prominent aristocratic noble family that originated in the city of Naples. The Caracciolos are considered one of the most important families in the history of the Kingdom of Naples, and also held relevant posts in the Spanish Empire, Holy Roman Empire, and the Roman Catholic Church.

History

The house boasted a mythical Byzantine origin, however, the first documented mention of the family date back to the 10th century with the progenitor Teodoro Caracciolo, who was reported in ancient documents as Theodorus Caracziolus, of which only archival information is available; he was buried together with his wife Urania in the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Naples. He is reported to have died on 20 March 976, the date of a document in which it is learned that in this period his daughter Theodonanda made a donation to the Monastery of Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Naples.[1][2]

At the time of the Duchy of Naples, the family enjoyed nobility during the reign of the Sergian dynasty, benefiting from special privileges granted by Sergius VII of Naples.[3] The family then divided into numerous lines, including the ancient lines of the likes of Caracciolo Canella, Caracciolo Ugot, Caracciolo Viola, and Caracciolo Ciccola, then into the lines of the likes of the del Sole, Bianchi, Rossi, and Pisquizi. Specifically, Riccardo Caracciolo, son of Landolfo, who lived in the early 12th century, was the progenitor of the Caracciolo Rossi. Caracciolo Pisquizi Filippo, also son of Landolfo, was the progenitor of the branch of the Caracciolo del Sole and that of the Caracciolo di Pisciotta.[4]

In 1869, the family was enrolled in the Libro d'Oro, the Golden Book of the Italian nobility. Thanks to the great importance of the Caracciolo family, most of the most important events of the Kingdom of Naples had various members of the family as protagonists, sometimes even on opposing fronts.[5]

The family has played a pivotal role in the development of the Catholic Church, with family members holding positions as bishops and cardinals. One notable member of the family who was involved with the church was Saint Francis Caracciolo.

Notable members

References

  1. ^ "Caracciolo". Italian Encyclopedia (in Italian). 1930. Retrieved 17 February 2023 – via Treccani.
  2. ^ "Storia dei Caracciolo" [History of the Caracciolos]. Sito Roccaromana (in Italian). 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  3. ^ "mytit - Soggetti Produttori - Archivio di Stato di Napoli" (in Italian). Retrieved 4 April 2024.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Famiglia Caracciolo-Rossi" [Caracciolo-Rossi family]. Nobili napoletani (in Italian). 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  5. ^ Pescatore, Gerardo (April 2017). "La storia dei Caracciolo, principi di Avellino" [The history of the Caracciolos, princes of Avellino] (PDF). Avellinesi.it (in Italian). Retrieved 17 February 2023.

Bibliography

  • Cancelliere, Maria Pina (2012). Lo Stato feudale dei Caracciolo di Torella: poteri, istituzioni e rapporti economico-sociali nel Mezzogiorno moderno. Avellino: Terebinto Editore. ISBN 978-88-97-48907-8.