Turco (family)
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The Turco family's rise originated in 12th Century Asti, Italy, and the surrounding comunes of Frinco, Mombercelli, Montemagno, Tonco, Viale, and in part Barbaresco, Neive, Revigliasco d'Asti and Savigliano.
Their origins to noble status can be traced from their rise in wealth through banking and property investment, starting in the 11th and 12th centuries. They were renowned as Ghibelline supporters throughout the Middle Ages. Their economic prestige dropped at the end of the 16th century and the family eventually fell from nobility.[1]
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[edit] Origins
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United in hospitium as "De Castello" with the more influential ghibelline Isnardi and Guttuari families, they were one of Asti's major families. The Turco family became lords (signori) of Serralonga, Neive, Barbaresco, Monfalcone, Sarmatorio and Manzano. By the end of the 12th C. they also became lords of Tonco and Frinco.
The family's first renowned individual was Giovanni Turco, who in 1278 appears as the lieutenant (luogotenente) to the podestà. Of note was also Guglielmo Turco, who in 1300 reportedly murdered Emanuele Solaro, to vindicate the guelf government, starting a new phase of the civil war.[2] Once peace was restored in 1309, Guglielmo was sent off in exile.
[edit] Family crest
Composed of a silver shield with a black eagle, with a golden crown. The motto reads "la virtù può accompagnarsi alla buona fortuna" (Virtue will bring good fortune).
[edit] Economic and feudal activities
The Turco's economic rise began locally in the early 12th C. with an increase in their land holdings and expanded serfdom. By 1270 they began to operate at an international level, receiving privileges in Flanders (in particular the towns of Valenciennes, Binche and Maubeuge)[3], and in Savoy, and by lending to the Counts of Hainaut and Namur.
In 1342 Antonio and Turchetto Turco took over Frinco from the Pelletta family, as well as the castle in Montemagno from the comune of Asti. In 1375 Antonio Turco expanded his feudal holdings. Oliviero Turco was given lordship of Revigliasco from the marquis of Monferrato in 1367, however he was forced to abdicate when it was restored to Asti. In 1431 Pietrino Turco was given rights by Filippo Maria Visconti. A branch of the family established itself in Flanders at Hainaut where, in 1337, Rolando Turco de Castello acquired the lordship of Iwuy. A branch of the family established itself in the Kingdom of Naples under the auspices of Queen Joan, with some venturing to take positions in Calabria.[4]
By the end of the 16th C. the dynasty of the Turco family began to lose economic prestige and, eventually, they fell from nobility.[5]
[edit] Turco in Verona
It is not clear if the Turco family of Verona is connected with the family of Asti. Nonetheless, in 1393 the Turco family was invested with the title in Visegna (Salizzole) and, a few years later, the church of S. Caterina di Alessandria was constructed.
There were four families which in the seicento that owned property in Bionde di Visegna and were titled as having jurisdiction.[6]
[edit] External links
- (Italian) La famiglia Turco
- (Italian) Storia di Asti, i Turco
[edit] References
- ^ la famiglia Turco
- ^ Araldica Astigiana|Turco
- ^ Araldica Astigiana|Turco
- ^ cfr. Giovanni Fiore, Della Calabria illustrata opera varia istorica del r.p. Giovanni Fiore da Cropani, predicatore, lettore di sacra teologia, Naples, 1691-1743, Book II, p. 249
- ^ la famiglia Turco
- ^ Comune di Salizzole
