The Cesi family is an Italian noble family from

Umbria it, Umbro (man) it, Umbra (woman) , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = , demographics1_footnotes = , demographics1_title1 = , demographics1_info1 = , ...

Origins

The Cesi family takes its surname from Cesi. The fieldom of Cesi was originally part of the Lombard

Duchy of Spoleto The Duchy of Spoleto (, ) was a Lombard territory founded about 570 in central Italy by the Lombard '' dux'' Faroald. Its capital was the city of Spoleto. Lombards The Lombards had invaded Italy in 568 AD and conquered much of it, establish ...

. The Cesi fief was of the Arnolfi family, the chief seat of the Terre Arnolfe. The Arnolfi family claimed descent from the Lombard Arnulf, vassal of

Duke of Spoleto The Duke of Spoleto was the ruler of Spoleto and most of central Italy outside the Papal States during the Early and High Middle Ages (c. 500 – 1300). The first dukes were appointed by the Lombard king, but they were independent in practice. The ...

. The duchy was then annexed to the

Papal States The Papal States ( ; it, Stato Pontificio, ), officially the State of the Church ( it, Stato della Chiesa, ; la, Status Ecclesiasticus;), were a series of territories in the Italian Peninsula under the direct Sovereignty, sovereign rule of ...

. It comes from the Latin word caesi and the Latin verb caedere. Contraction of the Lombard toponym Cesina, which indicated a coppice wood or a place cleared of woodland.

History

According to the "Relation de Rome" of the French Ambassador to the court of

Urban VIII Pope Urban VIII ( la, Urbanus VIII; it, Urbano VIII; baptised 5 April 1568 – 29 July 1644), born Maffeo Vincenzo Barberini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 6 August 1623 to his death in July 1644. As po ...

, Amayden, the Cesi family was located in

(with its main seat the castle of Cesi). Antonio Chitani of Cesi, the chief of the family, and his wife Angela Ternabili were slaughtered in the Church of St. Anthony Abbot, in the castle of Cesi, on the feast day of the saint, with all their relatives. Only their son Pietro (1422-1477), still in swaddling clothes, escaped the massacre. Pietro moved to Rome and later became a very famous

consistory Consistory is the anglicized form of the consistorium, a council of the closest advisors of the Roman emperors. It can also refer to: *A papal consistory, a formal meeting of the Sacred College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church *Consistory ...

lawyer to the point of obtaining the office of ''

podestà Podestà (, English: Potestate, Podesta) was the name given to the holder of the highest civil office in the government of the cities of Central and Northern Italy during the Late Middle Ages. Sometimes, it meant the chief magistrate of a city ...

'' of

Perugia Perugia (, , ; lat, Perusia) is the capital city of Umbria in central Italy, crossed by the River Tiber, and of the province of Perugia. The city is located about north of Rome and southeast of Florence. It covers a high hilltop and par ...

first and then that of senator in Rome. The three sons born to Pietro, Bartolomeo, Pierdonato, and Angelo, respectively, originated three branches of the family. The last of Pietro's sons, Angelo or Agnolo, married Franceschina Cardoli, a descendant on his mother's side of the famous condottiero

Gattamelata Erasmo Stefano of Narni (1370 – 16 January 1443), better known by his nickname of Gattamelata (meaning "Honeyed Cat"), was an Italian ''condottiero'' of the Renaissance. He was born in Narni, and served a number of Italian city-states: he be ...

; he himself was a very distinguished personage of his time, becoming a jurisconsult, professor of the Roman Archiginnassio, consistorial lawyer and senator like his father until he was noticed by

Pope Julius II Pope Julius II ( la, Iulius II; it, Giulio II; born Giuliano della Rovere; 5 December 144321 February 1513) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 1503 to his death in February 1513. Nicknamed the Warrior Pope or the ...

, who appointed him first apostolic secretary and then auditor of the apostolic chamber. He was also a splendid patron, commissioning

Michelangelo Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (; 6 March 1475 – 18 February 1564), known as Michelangelo (), was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of the High Renaissance. Born in the Republic of Florence, his work was in ...

to build the family chapel in the church of

Santa Maria della Pace Santa Maria della Pace is a church in Rome, central Italy, not far from Piazza Navona. The building lies in rione Ponte. History The current building was built on the foundations of the pre-existing church of Sant'Andrea de Aquarizariis in 148 ...

in Rome. His son, Maximilian Octavius, was

bishop of Cervia The diocese of Cervia was a Roman Catholic diocese in Emilia-Romagna. In 1947 it merged with the archdiocese of Ravenna to form the Archdiocese of Ravenna-Cervia.Historical SummaryArchdiocese of Ravenna-Cerviacatholic-hierarchy.org/ref> Ordina ...

, while two of his other sons,

Federico Federico (; ) is a given name and surname. It is a form of Frederick, most commonly found in Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. People with the given name Federico Artists * Federico Ágreda, Venezuelan composer and DJ. * Federico Aguilar Alc ...

and

Paolo Emilio Paolo is both a given name and a surname, the Italian form of the name Paul. Notable people with the name include: People with the given name Paolo Art *Paolo Alboni (1671–1734), Italian painter * Paolo Abbate (1884–1973), Italian-America ...

, were both cardinals. Giangiacomo, Angelo's son, was decemvir at

Todi Todi () is a town and ''comune'' (municipality) of the province of Perugia (region of Umbria) in central Italy. It is perched on a tall two-crested hill overlooking the east bank of the river Tiber, commanding distant views in every direction. ...

and was noble of

Terni Terni ( , ; lat, Interamna (Nahars)) is a city in the southern portion of the region of Umbria in central Italy. It is near the border with Lazio. The city is the capital of the province of Terni, located in the plain of the Nera river. It is ...

. He took part in the siege of Florence in 1530, also distinguishing himself as a ''

condottiero ''Condottieri'' (; singular ''condottiero'' or ''condottiere'') were Italian captains in command of mercenary companies during the Middle Ages and of multinational armies during the early modern period. They notably served popes and other Europ ...

''. Through his wife, Isabella Liviani d'Alviano, who bequeathed him his father's fiefdom, he was able to make an exchange with

Pierluigi Farnese Pier Luigi Farnese (19 November 1503 – 10 September 1547) was the first Duke of Castro from 1537 to 1545 and the first Duke of Parma and Piacenza from 1545 to 1547. Born in Rome, Pier Luigi was the illegitimate son of Cardinal Alessandro Farn ...

, receiving in exchange the

fief A fief (; la, feudum) was a central element in medieval contracts based on feudal law. It consisted of a form of property holding or other rights granted by an overlord to a vassal, who held it in fealty or "in fee" in return for a form of f ...

s of

Acquasparta Acquasparta is a town and '' comune'' in the province of Terni ( Umbria, central Italy). It is located on a hill above the Naia Valley and the river of the same name, facing the Monti Martani mountain range. It also sits between two hot springs ...

and

Portaria Portaria (Greek: Πορταριά) is a village and a former municipality in Magnesia, Thessaly, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Volos, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit has an area ...

. Giangiacomo's son, Angelo, followed in his father's footsteps and was also a

decemvir The decemviri or decemvirs (Latin for "ten men") were some of the several 10-man commissions established by the Roman Republic. The most important were those of the two Decemvirates, formally the " decemvirate with consular power for writing ...

at Todi and a nobleman at Terni, embarking like his parent on a military career on behalf of the

Church State The Papal States ( ; it, Stato Pontificio, ), officially the State of the Church ( it, Stato della Chiesa, ; la, Status Ecclesiasticus;), were a series of territories in the Italian Peninsula under the direct sovereign rule of the pope from ...

. In 1569, during the reign of

Pius V Pope Pius V ( it, Pio V; 17 January 1504 – 1 May 1572), born Antonio Ghislieri (from 1518 called Michele Ghislieri, O.P.), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 8 January 1566 to his death in May 1572. He is v ...

, he commanded a military expeditionary force in France to bring aid to Charles IX against the

Huguenots The Huguenots ( , also , ) were a religious group of French Protestants who held to the Reformed, or Calvinist, tradition of Protestantism. The term, which may be derived from the name of a Swiss political leader, the Genevan burgomaster Bez ...

. He distinguished himself in the capture of

Poitiers Poitiers (, , , ; Poitevin: ''Poetàe'') is a city on the River Clain in west-central France. It is a commune and the capital of the Vienne department and the historical centre of Poitou. In 2017 it had a population of 88,291. Its agglome ...

where he later died in 1570. He had a palace in Rome in via della Maschera d'oro that later became the seat of his household and erected a grand mausoleum to his uncle, Cardinal Federico Cesi, in the church of

Santa Maria Maggiore The Basilica of Saint Mary Major ( it, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, ; la, Basilica Sanctae Mariae Maioris), or church of Santa Maria Maggiore, is a Major papal basilica as well as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and the larges ...

. His sons were

Bartolomeo Bartolomeo or Bartolommeo is a masculine Italian given name, the Italian equivalent of Bartholomew. Its diminutive form is Baccio. Notable people with the name include: * Abramo Bartolommeo Massalongo (1824–1860), Italian paleobotanist and ...

, who later became

archbishop of Conza In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdio ...

, bishop of Tivoli and cardinal, and Federico, who first assumed the title of marquis of Monticelli.Garollo (1907), p. 509 In favor of the latter,

Pope Sixtus V Pope Sixtus V ( it, Sisto V; 13 December 1521 – 27 August 1590), born Felice Piergentile, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 24 April 1585 to his death in August 1590. As a youth, he joined the Franciscan order ...

erected the fiefdom of Acquasparta into a duchy in 1588, while

Pope Paul V Pope Paul V ( la, Paulus V; it, Paolo V) (17 September 1550 – 28 January 1621), born Camillo Borghese, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 16 May 1605 to his death in January 1621. In 1611, he honored ...

in 1613 granted him the principality over the marquisates of

San Polo dei Cavalieri San Polo dei Cavalieri is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Rome in the Italian region of Lazio, located about northeast of Rome. San Polo dei Cavalieri borders the following municipalities: Guidonia Montecelio, Licenza, ...

and Sant'Angelo. The latter married Princess Olimpia Orsini. Federico (1562-1630), was the eldest son of the former and 2nd Duke of Acquasparta. His brother Firmino, became

bishop of Rimini The Diocese of Rimini ( la, Dioecesis Ariminensis) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in Emilia Romagna, Italy. From earliest times, it was a suffragan to the Holy See, despite repeated attempts by the Di ...

. His son, founder of the ''

Accademia dei Lincei The Accademia dei Lincei (; literally the "Academy of the Lynx-Eyed", but anglicised as the Lincean Academy) is one of the oldest and most prestigious European scientific institutions, located at the Palazzo Corsini, Rome, Palazzo Corsini on the Vi ...

'', would be known as Federico the Lyncean and would be one of the greatest scholars of the 17th century. He married Princess Artemisia Colonna in first marriage and Marchesa Isabella Salviati in second marriage. The family grew and prospered until the second half of the 17th century when it sold most of its property to the

Borghese family The House of Borghese is a princely family of Italian noble and papal background, originating as the Borghese or Borghesi in Siena, where they came to prominence in the 13th century and held offices under the '' commune''. During the 16th century ...

. At this point the branch of the dukes of Acquasparta was succeeded by the one originated by Bartolomeo with Giacomo di Giuseppe who in 1804 and then with his son, Luigi in 1821. The Pierdonato branch ruled with the title of marquis and duke in several fiefs in the Sabina area, dying out in 1657 with the death of Francesco Maria Cesi, duke of

Ceri Ceri () is a hamlet (''frazione'') of the ''comune'' of Cerveteri, in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio (central Italy). It occupies a fortified plateau of tuff at a short distance from the city of Cerveteri. History Inhabited before the 7 ...

and

Selci Selci may refer to: * Selci, Italy, a municipality in Rieti, Lazio * Selci, Struga, a village in North Macedonia * Selci, Bizovac, a village near Bizovac, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia * Selci Đakovački, a village in Osijek-Baranja County, Cr ...

, titles that returned to the main branch of the lineage.

Family tree

Notable members

Cesi
cardinals Cardinal or The Cardinal may refer to: Animals * Cardinal (bird) or Cardinalidae, a family of North and South American birds ''Cardinalis'', genus of cardinal in the family Cardinalidae ''Cardinalis cardinalis'', or northern cardinal, th ...

Paolo Emilio Cesi Paolo Emilio Cesi (1481–1537) was an Italian Roman Catholic cardinal."Paolo ...

(1481–1537) * Federico Cesi (1500–1565), younger brother of Cardinal

Paolo Emilio Cesi Paolo Emilio Cesi (1481–1537) was an Italian Roman Catholic cardinal."Paolo ...

. *

Pier Donato Cesi (1521–1586) Pier Donato Cesi (1521–1586) was an Italian people, Italian Roman Catholic Church, Catholic Cardinal (Catholicism), Cardinal from the noble Cesi family. He is sometimes referred to as ''Pier Donato Cesi, seniore'' (senior) to differentiate between ...

, seniore (senior) *

Pier Donato Cesi (1583–1656) Pier Donato Cesi, iuniore (1583 – 30 January 1656) was an Italian Catholic Cardinal. He is sometimes referred to as ''Pier Donato Cesi, iuniore'' (junior) to differentiate between him and his predecessor Pier Donato Cesi ''seniore'' (1521–1586 ...

, iuniore (junior) * Bartolomeo Cesi (1566–1621)

Cesi
bishops A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or offic ...

Bartolomeo Cesi Bartolomeo Cesi (; 16 August 1556 – 11 July 1629) was an Italian painter and draftsman of the Bolognese School.Andrea Bayer. "Cesi, Bartolomeo" Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press. Web. 7 November 2020 He made ea ...

(died 1537),

Bishop of Narni The Italian Catholic diocese of Narni, in central Italy, was suppressed in 1907, becoming part of the diocese of Terni.

until his death in 1537.

Cesi nobles

Princes of
San Polo San Polo ( vec, San Poło) is the smallest and most central of the six sestieri of Venice, northern Italy, covering 86 acres (35 hectares) along the Grand Canal. It is one of the oldest parts of the city, having been settled before ...
and Sant'Angelo (1613-1670), Dukes of
Acquasparta Acquasparta is a town and '' comune'' in the province of Terni ( Umbria, central Italy). It is located on a hill above the Naia Valley and the river of the same name, facing the Monti Martani mountain range. It also sits between two hot springs ...
and Marquesses of Monticelli (1588)

* Federico I Cesi (1562–1630), I prince of San Polo and Sant'Angelo, I duke of Acquasparta, I marquis of Monticelli. * Federico II Cesi (1585-1630), II prince of San Polo and Sant'Angelo, II duke of Acquasparta, II marquis of Monticelli, scientist, naturalist and founder of the

. * Giovanni Cesi (died 1656), III prince of San Polo and Sant'Angelo, III duke of Acquasparta, III marquis of Monticelli. * Federico III Cesi (died 1666), IV prince of San Polo and Sant'Angelo, IV duke of Acquasparta, IV marquis of Monticelli * Giuseppe Angelo Cesi (died 1705), V prince of San Polo and Sant'Angelo, V duke of Acquasparta, V marquis of Monticelli. The fiefdom of San Polo and Sant'Angelo is sold with the relative title to the

Borghese The House of Borghese is a princely family of Italian noble and papal background, originating as the Borghese or Borghesi in Siena, where they came to prominence in the 13th century and held offices under the '' commune''. During the 16th centur ...

princes; the other titles of duke and marquis remain active. * Federico IV Pierdonato Cesi (died 1762), VI duke of Acquasparta, VI marquis of Monticelli. * Carlo Federico Cesi (died 1774), VII duke of Acquasparta, VII marquis of Monticelli. * Federico V Cesi (1766–1799), VIII duke of Acquasparta, VIII marquis of Monticelli. * Giacomo Cesi (died 1821), IX duke of Acquasparta, IX marquis of Monticelli. * Luigi Cesi, X duke of Acquasparta, X marquis of Monticelli. * Federico VI Cesi, XI duke of Acquasparta, XI marquis of Monticelli. * Gerberto, XII duke of Acquasparta, XII marquis of Monticelli. * Elvira, duchess of Acquasparta, married Marquis Gaspare Cittadini and gave rise to the Cittadini-Cesi lineage.

Dukes of Selci (1596) and of Ceri (c. 1612)

* Paolo Emilio Cesi (d. 1611), II duke of Selci (title acquired from the

Orsini Orsini is a surname of Italian origin, originally derived from Latin ''ursinus'' ("bearlike") and originating as an epithet or sobriquet describing the name-bearer's purported strength. Notable people with the surname include the following: * Ange ...

) * Andrea Cesi (d. 1626), I duke of Ceri, III duke of Selci * Francesco Maria Cesi (d. 1657), II duke of Ceri, IV duke of Selci Upon his death, the title of Duke of Selci passed to the main family branch, while that of Duke of

passed to the

Borromeo family ), type=Noble family, country=, estates= Rocca d'Angera Palazzo Borromeo, Milan Castel of Peschiera Borromeo Borromean Islands Villa Borromeo, Arcore, titles=* Prince of Angera * Marquess of Romagnano * Count of Arona * Count of Peschiera * Lo ...

References

Bibliography

* *{{Cite book, title=Dizionario biografico universale, volume=1, author=Gottardo Garollo, language=Italian, year=1907, location=Milano, publisher=Ulrico Hoepli Italian families Italian noble families History of Italy History of Umbria Italian culture Cesi family