Treaty of Tordesillas (1524) facts for kids
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| Signed | November 15, 1524 |
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| Location | Tordesillas, Kingdom of Spain |
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The Treaty of Tordesillas was an important agreement signed on November 15, 1524. It confirmed an earlier treaty from June 7, 1524, made between the ruler of Monaco and Habsburg Spain. This treaty put Monaco under the protection of Emperor Charles V, who was the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain.
Monaco became like a special territory (an "imperial fief") under Charles V. This meant the Lord of Monaco became a "vassal," or a loyal supporter, of the Emperor. This agreement started a period where Spain protected Monaco. However, Lucien I of Monaco wanted Monaco to be free. He asked for the part about being a vassal to be removed. In the end, the final agreement in November 1524 recognized Monaco's independence.
Contents
Monaco's Struggle for Protection
A Family Crisis in Monaco
On August 22, 1523, a sad event happened in Monaco. The ruler, Lucien Grimaldi, was killed by his cousin, Barthélémy Doria. But the people of Monaco did not agree with this act. They supported the Grimaldi family.
Barthélémy Doria tried to run away but was caught. He was later set free by another powerful family, the House of Savoy. Meanwhile, Lucien's younger brother, Augustine Grimaldi, stepped up. He was a bishop and became the ruler (a "regent") for his young nephew, Honoré. This happened because of his mother, Claudine Grimaldi.
Seeking Independence and Justice
Augustine Grimaldi worried about Monaco's freedom. He got a special order from Pope Clement VII on February 19, 1524. This order, called a "papal bull," officially recognized Monaco's independence.
Even with support from the French King François I, Augustine Grimaldi faced problems. A powerful person named Andrea Doria had a lot of influence in France. This made it hard for Augustine to get justice for his brother's death.
To get justice, Augustine Grimaldi gained control over some areas near Genoa. These areas were influenced by Andrea Doria. On November 3, 1523, people from Dolceaqua promised their loyalty to the Grimaldi family.
Monaco Caught in the Italian Wars
Things got difficult for France in the region. The French general, Guillaume Gouffier, seigneur de Bonnivet, lost a battle in 1524. This made King François I less powerful. At the same time, Andrea Doria's ships attacked the coast of Monaco. Augustine Grimaldi himself was almost killed during these attacks in Menton.
These dangerous events made Augustine Grimaldi restart talks. His brother Lucien had already begun discussions with the leaders of Charles V. Augustine Grimaldi offered Monaco's port as a military base. This was for the troops of Charles III, a powerful French noble who opposed the King of France.
The Two Treaties: Burgos and Tordesillas
The Treaty of Burgos: A First Step
In June 1524, Augustine Grimaldi sent Leonard Grimaldi to Spain. Leonard was to negotiate with the Emperor's officials. A treaty was signed in Burgos on June 7. This treaty offered imperial protection to Monaco.
However, the first part of the treaty said that the Lord of Monaco had to pay tribute to the Emperor. This would turn Monaco's protection into a vassal relationship. Even though his position was weak, Augustine Grimaldi strongly disagreed with this part. He had help from Charles III, Duke of Bourbon. Augustine had continuously helped the Duke's forces as they retreated from Provence. He also bravely helped them in the port of Marseille.
The Treaty of Tordesillas: Monaco's Freedom
On November 15, 1524, the Treaty of Burgos was confirmed in Tordesillas. This new treaty included protection for Augustine Grimaldi. It clearly stated that Monaco was completely independent from any higher powers. Any rule that said otherwise was invalid. The Spanish Emperor even called the Lord of Monaco his "friend."
Through this alliance, Monaco received money during wartime. The Emperor would also pay for soldiers to protect Monaco. This showed that Monaco was directly under the Emperor's protection. Monaco would also get money for any goods taken by France. Finally, the Duke of Bourbon would make sure that Barthélémy Doria's properties were given to the Grimaldi family. The Lord of Monaco also gained special rights to receive church benefits from Sardinia and Sicily.
On April 10, 1525, Augustine Grimaldi officially agreed to this treaty. For the next 118 years, Monaco would be closely linked to Spanish politics.
What Happened Next
A Big Victory at Pavia
Monaco's location was very important. It helped the Emperor's troops connect Spain with forces in Milan. This connection played a key role in the major victory for Spain at the Battle of Pavia in February 1525. Charles V thanked Augustine Grimaldi for his help.
The End of Barthélémy Doria
Augustine Grimaldi finally captured Barthélémy Doria. He was put on trial in Monaco and sentenced to death. However, Pope Clement VII stopped the sentence, and Barthélémy was released. Later, Barthélémy attacked a castle owned by Augustine Grimaldi. During the night, he fell to his death while trying to climb a cliff to the fortress.
The Treaty of Madrid: Unfulfilled Promises
Because of the Treaty of Tordesillas, Monaco was included in the Treaty of Madrid in 1526. This treaty was between France and Spain. It was supposed to return any properties that France had taken from the Lord of Monaco. However, these promises were never fully kept.
Emperor Charles V visited Monaco for four days in August 1529. He was on his way to his crowning in Bologna. This visit showed his kindness towards Monaco.
However, despite the Emperor's apparent support, not much was actually done for Monaco. He even suggested Augustine Grimaldi become a cardinal. Meanwhile, Andrea Doria, who had caused problems earlier, became a close ally of the Emperor. Augustine Grimaldi tried to balance his alliances. He secretly made deals with France before he died in 1532 under mysterious circumstances.
In December 1523, Francisco de Valenzuela became the Emperor's representative in Monaco. But in May 1534, regent Etienne Grimaldi forced him to leave. This was an attempt to reduce Spain's influence on Monaco. Etienne later refused another visit from the Emperor. Instead, he welcomed Pope Paul III to Monaco in May 1538.
Monaco was also mentioned in the Treaty of Crepy in 1544.
Images for kids
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The House of the Treaty in Tordesillas, Spain.
See also
In Spanish: Tratado de Tordesillas (Mónaco) para niños
