Francesco Maria Pico della Mirandola facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francesco Maria Pico della Mirandola
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| Duke of Mirandola | |
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| Coat of arms |  |
| Predecessor | Alessandro II Pico della Mirandola |
| Other titles | Marquis of Concordia |
| Born | 30 September 1688 Concordia sulla Secchia |
| Died | 26 November 1747 (aged 59) Madrid |
| Buried | 1747 |
| Noble family | Pico della Mirandola |
| Spouse(s) |
María Teresa Spínola y de la Cerda
(m. 1723; died 1723)Maria Guadalupe Fitz-James Stuart y Colón de Portugal
(m. 1744) |
| Father | Francesco Maria I Pico della Mirandola |
| Mother | Anna Camilla Borghese |
Francesco Maria Pico (born in Concordia sulla Secchia, Italy, on 30 September 1688 – died in Madrid, Spain, on 26 November 1747) was an Italian nobleman. He was also known as Francesco Maria II Pico della Mirandola to tell him apart from his father.
Francesco Maria was the third Duke of Mirandola and the fourth Marquis of Concordia. He was nicknamed 'il Duchino', which means 'the little Duke', because he became ruler when he was just over two years old.
He was the very last ruler from the Pico family to govern the Duchy of Mirandola. With him, the Duchy lost its independence. He was removed from power in 1708 during a big conflict called the War of the Spanish Succession. Later, in 1710, the Duchy was sold and became part of another territory.
Francesco Maria had two marriages, but he did not have any children. Because of this, the direct family line of the Pico della Mirandola rulers ended with him.
Early Life and Becoming Duke
Francesco Maria was born in Concordia. His father, Francesco Maria I Pico, passed away when Francesco Maria was very young, just 27 years old. His mother was Anna Camilla Borghese.
When his grandfather, Alessandro II Pico della Mirandola, died in 1691, young Francesco Maria inherited the Duchy. Since he was still a child, his aunt, Brigida Pico, became his guardian. She helped him govern the territory until he was old enough to rule on his own.
Losing the Duchy
Francesco Maria officially began his rule in 1706. At that time, Europe was in the middle of the War of the Spanish Succession. Francesco Maria decided to support France in this war.
Because of his choice, his city, Concordia, was attacked and badly damaged. During a siege of Mirandola in 1705, he signed an agreement with the King of France. He was made a high-ranking general, and French soldiers were stationed in Mirandola.
However, this decision had serious consequences. In 1706, he was declared a traitor by the Holy Roman Empire. He was then forced out of the Duchy of Mirandola by a famous general named Prince Eugene of Savoy. By 1708, all of the Pico family's properties were taken away.
In 1710, the Duchy of Mirandola was sold to Rinaldo d'Este, who was the Duke of Modena. The price was a very large sum of money, equal to a ton of gold!
Life in Spain
After losing his Duchy, Francesco Maria found safety in Spain. He lived there with his cousin, Alessandro, who was known as Abbot Pico. They were protected by King Philip V of Spain.
King Philip V gave Francesco Maria important jobs. In 1715, he became the Caballerizo mayor, which meant he was in charge of the royal stables and horses. Later, in 1738, he became the Mayordomo mayor del Rey de España, a very important role as the King's chief steward.
Francesco Maria married twice. His first wife was María Teresa Spínola y de la Cerda. Sadly, she died in 1723 during a flood in Madrid. In 1744, he married his second wife, Maria Guadalupe Fitz-James Stuart y Colón de Portugal.
Francesco Maria passed away in Madrid in 1747. He did not have any children, so the direct line of the Pico della Mirandola family ended with him.
See also
In Spanish: Francesco Pico para niños
- Duchy of Mirandola
- Brigida Pico
- Mirandola Mint
