House of Cotoner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cotoner |
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| Spanish nobility | |
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| Country |  Spain |
| estates | Cotone, Castello di [it] Monte Pò, Castello di [it] Montorgiali, Castello di [it] |
| Titles |
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| Style(s) | "HMEH" (non-hereditary) "His Excellency" "His Illustriousness" |
| Founded | c.1370 |
| Founder | Bernardo Cotoner |
| Current head | Iñigo Cotoner y Martos Marquess of Mondejar (GOS) |
The House of Cotoner is an important noble family that served the Spanish Monarchy for many centuries, up until the 1900s.
Contents
History of the Cotoner Family
Italian Origins
The Cotoner family first came from the Republic of Siena, a city-state in Italy.
As the family grew, some members left the Tuscany region. They started new family groups, called branches, in other places. Some went to Ascoli and built the Castle of Monte Pastillo in Sicily. They became rulers of areas like Castelnuovo and Santa Caterina, always remembering their family's origins in Siena.
One of these family branches became known as the "Nou Cases" (meaning "Nine Houses") in the Kingdom of Majorca. These were nine very old and noble families. Like other noble families, they were part of the groups that governed and made laws for the Kingdom. However, they were special because of their long and important family history.
Settlement in Majorca
The first record of Bernardo Cotoner in the Kingdom of Majorca shows him setting up a special arrangement for the Parish of Santa Eulalia. Later, in 1363, he bought a farmhouse in Valldemossa. On July 23, 1370, Peter IV of Aragon issued official documents, called Letters patent, confirming that the Cotoner family would not have to pay certain taxes. These documents also confirmed their noble status because their ancestors had helped conquer the land.
Bernardo's son, Nicolas Cotoner y Genovard, had three sons: Nicolas, Bernardo, and Gabriel Cotoner y Saguals. Each of them started a different branch of the family. Bernardo Cotoner y Saguals was given a special, lasting privilege on July 18, 1463. This was for his good deeds and service, allowing his family to be part of the "braç militar" (military branch) of the Kingdom of Mallorca forever.
However, it was the great-grandson of Nicolas Cotoner y Saguals, Antonio Cotoner y Vallobar, who truly made the family powerful. Antonio was very active in the public affairs of his country. He showed great talent and earned the trust of the elected officials of the city and the Kingdom of Majorca. They gave him an important task. In October 1569, he received a special, lasting privilege, and in 1572, Philip II of Spain himself made him a knight.
This family also had a very close and important connection with the Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Order of Malta. Two members, Raphael and Nicolas Cotoner, became the highest leaders of this order, known as Grand Masters.
Important Cotoner Family Members
- Antonio Cotoner y Vallobar (born 1518): He was a special representative, like an Ambassador, for the Kingdom of Majorca in 1571. He helped get the king's permission to set up a high court, called a "Real Audiencia", in Majorca. He was given a lasting noble privilege in October 1569 and was made a knight by Philip II of Spain in 1572.
- Bernado Luis Cotoner y Ballester (1571–1641): Antonio Cotoner y Vallobar's son from his second marriage. He studied law and earned degrees in both church law (Canon law) and ancient Roman law from the University of Avignon. Later in life, he joined the church. He became a church official who investigated religious matters, first in the Kingdom of Sardinia, and then as a General Inquisitor in the kingdoms of Majorca, Aragon, Valencia, and in the County of Barcelona. He passed away in 1641 while working for the church in Sicily.
- Fra' Rafael Cotoner y Oleza (1601–1663): He was the 60th Grand Master of the Order of Malta. He served from June 1660 until his death in October 1663. After him, his brother Nicolas became the next Grand Master.
- Fra' Nicolas Cotoner y Oleza (1608–1680): Born in Mallorca, he was the 61st Grand Master of the Order of Malta from 1663 to 1680. He was the son of Marc Antoni Cotoner i de Santmartí and the brother of the previous Grand Master, Rafael Cotoner.
- Marcos Antonio Cotoner y Sureda (1665–1749): He was a Spanish noble, politician, and military leader. He was the first Marquess of Ariany and the first city council member of Palma de Mallorca after new laws were put in place by Philip V of Spain.
- Fernando Cotoner y Chacón (1817–1888): He was the first Marquess de la Cenia and a Grandee of Spain. He was a Lieutenant in the Carlist Wars, served as Governor of Puerto Rico, and was a temporary Minister of War. He also led the Civil Guard and was the highest-ranking military officer, the Captain General, of the Balearic Islands. He was a Senator for life for the Balearic Islands.
- Nicolás Cotoner y Cotoner (1905–1996): He was the 23rd Marquess of Mondéjar and held other important titles. He was a Grandee of Spain and a knight of several important orders, including the Order of the Golden Fleece. He was a Spanish nobleman and military officer. He served as the head of the Royal Household of Spain for King Juan Carlos I from 1975 to 1990.
See also
In Spanish: Casa de Cotoner para niños
