Neapolitan Republic (1647) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Most Serene Republic of this Kingdom of Naples
Repubblica Napoletana (Italian)
|
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1647–1648 | |||||||||
 Coat of arms
|
|||||||||
|
Motto: S.P.Q.N
(Senatus Populusque Neapolitanus) |
|||||||||
| Status | Protectorate of France | ||||||||
| Capital | Naples | ||||||||
| Common languages | Neapolitan, Italian, Sicilian, Spanish | ||||||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||||||
| Demonym(s) | Neapolitan | ||||||||
| Government | Mixed: crowned republic | ||||||||
| Doge | |||||||||
|
• 1647–1648
|
Henry II of Guise | ||||||||
| Generalissimo | |||||||||
|
• 1647–1648
|
Gennaro Annese | ||||||||
| Historical era | Renaissance/Early Modern | ||||||||
|
• Masaniello's rebellion
|
July 7, 1647 | ||||||||
|
• Gennaro Annese proclaimed the Republic
|
October 22, 1647 | ||||||||
|
• Henry II of Guise
|
November 15, 1647 | ||||||||
|
• Rebellion repressed
|
April 5, 1648 | ||||||||
| Currency | Tarì, Ducat, Piastre, Cavallo | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Today part of | Italy | ||||||||
The Neapolitan Republic was a short-lived government in the Kingdom of Naples. It existed from October 22, 1647, to April 5, 1648. This republic started after a successful uprising led by Masaniello and Giulio Genoino. They rebelled against King Philip III and his viceroys, who were like governors ruling for the king.
The main leader of this new Republic was Henry II of Lorraine. He was a duke and a descendant of a former king of Naples, Rene I.
The Republic had a few official names, like "Most Serene Republic of this Kingdom of Naples" and "Royal Republic." One name, "Most Serene Republican Monarchy of Naples," showed that it was both a republic (ruled by elected officials) and a monarchy (with a duke as a leader). The word "Serenissima" was used to compare it to the famous Venice, which also used that title.
The Republic's coat of arms was a red shield with the motto S.P.Q.N. This stood for "Senatus Populusque Neapolitanus," which means "The Senate and the People of Naples." It was inspired by the ancient Roman motto S.P.Q.R. ("The Senate and the People of Rome"). The coat of arms also included the symbol of the Duke of Guise.
Contents
A Brief History of the Republic
The Kingdom of Naples had been connected to the crown of Spain since 1504. This meant the same person was king of both Spain and Naples, but they were separate kingdoms. In the early 1600s, Naples faced a tough economic crisis, like much of Europe. This problem was made worse by the Spanish viceroys. They were more interested in funding Spain's many wars across Europe than in helping the local people.
The Start of the Rebellion
Even though the viceroy's forces had tried to stop it, the revolt led by Masaniello left many people in Naples unhappy. When a Spanish fleet, led by John of Austria the Younger (King Philip's son), arrived to calm things down by firing cannons at the city, a new uprising began. This time, it wasn't just poor people rebelling. It was led by a gunsmith named Gennaro Annese, and it was clearly against King Philip.
The viceroy's army was forced out of Naples, and a Republic was declared. The people of Naples asked France for help and invited Henry of Guise to lead their new state. The Duke of Guise was in Rome at the time and quickly accepted. He wanted to become a ruler and bring French power back to southern Italy after two centuries. On November 15, 1647, he arrived in Naples and took control of the Republic.
Challenges and Downfall
From the very beginning, the Neapolitan Republic faced big problems. The viceroy's forces still controlled the castles around the city. Also, the powerful nobles controlled the areas outside Naples, especially from their base in Aversa. This meant they could control the supplies coming into Naples. In 1648, the Duke of Guise managed to capture Aversa, but it didn't change the situation much.
The King's army, again led by John of Austria, used a clever plan. They filled Naples with spies and agents to convince the remaining nobles to switch sides. On April 5, 1648, Henry was tricked by some of his advisors, who were secretly working for King Philip. He tried to lead an attack outside the city walls. While he was gone, Naples was taken back by the Spanish without a fight.
Attempts to Regain Control
On June 4, a French fleet of 40 ships tried to take back the city. But this time, the people of Naples were tired of fighting after more than a year of rebellion. They did not rise up to help the French. The French tried to land on the nearby island of Procida, but Spanish forces defeated them, and they had to leave.
Another, even stronger French fleet appeared in the Gulf of Naples on August 4 of the same year. It was led by Thomas of Savoy. This time, they managed to conquer Procida. However, after being pushed back by Spanish ships near Ischia, Pozzuoli, and Salerno, they gave up hope of taking Naples.
Soon after, Gennaro Annese, one of the rebellion's leaders, was executed in Piazza del Mercato in Naples. The following year, on June 3, there were new small riots in Naples. But they were quickly stopped, as the people were simply too tired of fighting.
See also
- History of Naples
- List of Neapolitan viceroys
