Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma

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Portuguese royalty
House of Aviz-Beja

Manuel I Children include    Miguel da Paz, Prince of Portugal and of Asturias    João, Prince of Portugal (future John III)    Isabella, Holy Roman Empress    Infanta Beatriz, Duchess of Savoy    Infante Luís, Duke of Beja    Infante Fernando, Duke of Guarda and Trancoso    Cardinal-Infante Afonso    Henry I    Infante Duarte, Duke of Guimarães    Infanta Maria, Lady of Viseu Grandchildren include    Philip II of Spain and I of Portugal)    Anthony I (illegitimate)    Infanta Maria of Guimarães, Duchess of Parma and Piacenza    Infanta Catarina of Guimarães, Duchess of Braganza Great-Grandchildren include    Teodósio II, Duke of Braganza    Ranuccio I Farnese of Parma Great-Great-Grandchildren include    John II, Duke of Braganza (future John IV) John III Children include    Maria Manuela, Princess of Portugal and of Asturias    João Manuel, Prince of Portugal Grandchildren include    Sebastião, Prince of Portugal (future Sebastian I)    Carlos, Prince of Asturias Sebastian Henry Anthony (disputed king)

Ranuccio I Farnese (March 28, 1569 – March 5, 1622) was the fourth Duke of Parma and Piacenza from 1592 until his death. He was the son of Alessandro Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza, and Maria of Portugal.

His great-uncle Henry I of Portugal's death triggered the struggle for the throne of Portugal when Ranuccio was 11 years old. As the son of the late elder daughter of Edward, Duke of Guimaraes, the only son of King Manuel I whose legitimate descendants survived at that time, Ranuccio was according to the feudal custom the first heir to the throne of Portugal. However his father was an ally and even a subject of the Spanish king, another contender, so Ranuccio's rights were not very forcibly claimed. Instead, Ranuccio's mother's younger sister Catherine, Duchess of Braganza, claimed the throne, very ambitiously, but failed.

Under Ranuccio I's rule, the dukedom annexed the territories of Colorno, Sala Baganza, and Montechiarugolo. He guided a cultural renewal in the city of Parma, supporting the arts and constructing the 4,500 seat Farnese Theater. Numerous improvements and monuments in Parma were constructed under Ranuccio I at his behest, including a revitalization of the University of Parma and the final expansion of the city walls. Construction of the Palazzo della Pilotta, the court palace of the Farnese family, was completed in 1620.

Ranuccio I is also remembered for his cruelty, one infamous example being the public execution of over 100 Parma residents suspected of conspiring against him.

He was succeeded by his son Odoardo, initially under the regency of Ranuccio's brother, Odoardo Cardinal Farnese.

[edit] Ancestors

Ranuccio I Farnese's ancestors in three generations

Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma	Father: Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma	Paternal Grandfather: Ottavio Farnese, Duke of Parma	Paternal Great-grandfather: Pier Luigi Farnese, Duke of Parma
			Paternal Great-grandmother: Girolama Orsini
		Paternal Grandmother: Margaret of Austria	Paternal Great-grandfather: Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
			Paternal Great-grandmother: Johanna Maria van der Gheynst
	Mother: Infanta Maria of Guimarães	Maternal Grandfather: Infante Duarte, Duke of Guimarães	Maternal Great-grandfather: Manuel I of Portugal
			Maternal Great-grandmother: Maria of Aragon
		Maternal Grandmother: Isabel of Braganza	Maternal Great-grandfather: James, 4th Duke of Braganza
			Maternal Great-grandmother: Louise of Medina-Sidonia

[edit] References

• http://www.comune.piacenza.it/english/history/Ifarnese.htm (Retrieved January 23, 2005)
• http://www.settorecrociato.it/ranuccio%20farnese.htm (Retrieved January 23, 2005)
• http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users/99/maya/parma.html (Retrieved January 23, 2005)

Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma House of Farnese Born: 28 March 1569 Died: 5 March 1622
Regnal titles
Preceded by Alessandro	Duke of Parma and Piacenza 1592-1622	Succeeded by Odoardo