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'''Faesch''', also spelled '''Fesch''', is a prominent [[Swiss people|Swiss]] and [[French people|French]] [[nobility|noble]] family, originally a [[patrician (post-Roman Europe)|patrician]] family of [[Basel]]. Known since the early [[15th century]], the family were ennobled by the [[Holy Roman Emperor]] in 1562. It was continously represented in the governing bodies of the [[Canton of Basel]] for centuries, and three members served as [[Burgomaster]]s, i.e. [[head of state|heads of state]], namely Remigius Faesch (1541–1610), Johann Rudolf Faesch (1572–1659) and Johann Rudolf Faesch (1680–1762). The family was at times the richest family of Basel, and its rise was partially the result of clever marriage policies. |
'''Faesch''', also spelled '''Fesch''', is a prominent [[Swiss people|Swiss]] and [[French people|French]] [[nobility|noble]] family, originally a [[patrician (post-Roman Europe)|patrician]] family of [[Basel]]. Known since the early [[15th century]], the family were ennobled by the [[Holy Roman Emperor]] in 1562. It was continously represented in the governing bodies of the [[Canton of Basel]] for centuries, and three members served as [[Burgomaster]]s, i.e. [[head of state|heads of state]], namely Remigius Faesch (1541–1610), Johann Rudolf Faesch (1572–1659) and Johann Rudolf Faesch (1680–1762). The family was at times the richest family of Basel, and its rise was partially the result of clever marriage policies. |
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In the 18th century, the naval officer Franz Fesch (1711–1775) entered the service of the [[Republic of Genoa]] and established a branch in [[Corsica]]. Its most famous member, [[cardinal]] [[Joseph Fesch]] (1763–1839), was the uncle of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] and was a member of the [[Imperial House of France (First French Empire)|French imperial family]] during his nephew's rule. |
In the 18th century, the naval officer Franz Fesch (1711–1775) entered the service of the [[Republic of Genoa]] and established a branch in [[Corsica]]. Its most famous member, [[cardinal]] [[Joseph Fesch]] (1763–1839), was the uncle of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] and was a member of the [[Imperial House of France (First French Empire)|French imperial family]] during his nephew's rule. He became a French [[senator]] and a [[count]] in 1805 and was elevated to [[sovereign]] [[prince]]ly rank in 1806, and was granted the title of a [[Nobility of the First French Empire|Prince of France]] in 1807, a dignity held only by himself, Napoleon's siblings, [[Joachim Murat]] and [[Eugène de Beauharnais]]. He was a member of the Imperial House and in the [[order of succession]] to the French imperial throne in accordance with the [[Constitution of the Year XII|French constitution of 1804]] (Title III, Article 9, "The Imperial Family"). He was also made a [[Peer of France]] in 1815, and subsequently given the title of (Roman) Prince by the Pope. The Fesch Palace in [[Ajaccio]] today houses the [[Musée Fesch]], one of France's finest collections of [[old masters]] and one of the most important Napoleonic collections. An art museum in Basel also named the Museum Faesch and established by Regimus Faesch in the 17th century is now part of the [[Basel Historical Museum]]. |
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Family members have lived in Switzerland, Corsica, Italy, France and Belgium. Many family members have been notable as jurists, bankers or military officers. |
Family members have lived in Switzerland, Corsica, Italy, France and Belgium. Many family members have been notable as jurists, bankers or military officers. |
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===Fesch as part of the imperial family of France=== |
===Fesch as part of the imperial family of France=== |
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Franz Faesch (born 1711 in [[Basel]], died 1775) became a naval officer (captain) in the service of the [[Republic of Genoa]], posted to [[Corsica]], and married ''Nobile'' Angela Maria Pietrasanta (born 1725, died 1790). Their son [[Joseph Fesch]] (born 1763 in [[Ajaccio]], died 1839 in [[Rome]]) was the half-brother of [[Letizia Ramolino]] (a daughter of Angela Maria's first marriage) and through his sister the uncle of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], and fulfilled the role as protector of the Bonaparte family for some years from 1791. Joseph Fesch became [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lyon|Archbishop of Lyon]] in 1802, was named a [[cardinal]] in 1803, became a French [[Sénat conservateur|senator]] and [[count]] in 1805, became [[Grand Almoner of France]] in 1805, |
Franz Faesch (born 1711 in [[Basel]], died 1775) became a naval officer (captain) in the service of the [[Republic of Genoa]], posted to [[Corsica]], and married ''Nobile'' Angela Maria Pietrasanta (born 1725, died 1790). Their son [[Joseph Fesch]] (born 1763 in [[Ajaccio]], died 1839 in [[Rome]]) was the half-brother of [[Letizia Ramolino]] (a daughter of Angela Maria's first marriage) and through his sister the uncle of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], and fulfilled the role as protector of the Bonaparte family for some years from 1791. Joseph Fesch became [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lyon|Archbishop of Lyon]] as well as Ambassador to Rome in 1802, was named a [[cardinal]] in 1803, became a French [[Sénat conservateur|senator]] and [[count]] in 1805, became [[Grand Almoner of France]] in 1805, obtained the rank of a [[sovereign]] [[prince]] with the [[style (manner of address)|style]] of ''Most Eminent Highness'' as he was chosen as [[coadjutor]] of the [[Bishopric of Regensburg|Prince-Bishopric of Regensburg]] in 1806, was named a [[Nobility of the First French Empire|Prince of France]] (''prince français'') with the [[style (manner of address)|style]] of ''[[Serene Highness]]'' in 1807, received the Great Eagle (the highest degree) of the [[Legion of Honour]], was a Knight of the [[Order of the Golden Spur]] (1802), a Knight of the [[Order of the Golden Fleece]] (1805), became a [[Peer of France]] in 1815 and subsequently a (Roman) Prince (as a noble title in the [[Papal States]]. Joseph Fasch was also one of the most famous art collectors of his lifetime. He also wed his nephew Napoleon to [[Joséphine de Beauharnais]] in Paris in 1804, the day before he was crowned as [[Emperor of the French]], and was chosen by [[Karl Theodor Anton Maria von Dalberg]] as successor and [[coadjutor bishop]] of the [[Bishopric of Regensburg|Prince-Bishopric of Regensburg]] in 1806. |
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The Fesch Palace in [[Ajaccio]] today houses the [[Musée Fesch]]. |
The Fesch Palace in [[Ajaccio]] today houses the [[Musée Fesch]]. |
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Revision as of 01:29, 22 July 2013
| Fesch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | French Empire |
| Founded | 1807 |
| Founder | Joseph Fesch |
| Titles | Prince of France |
| Style(s) | Serene Highness |
| Estate(s) | France |
| Dissolution | 1815 (Bourbon Restoration) 1839 (courtesy title) |
Faesch, also spelled Fesch, is a prominent Swiss and French noble family, originally a patrician family of Basel. Known since the early 15th century, the family were ennobled by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1562. It was continously represented in the governing bodies of the Canton of Basel for centuries, and three members served as Burgomasters, i.e. heads of state, namely Remigius Faesch (1541–1610), Johann Rudolf Faesch (1572–1659) and Johann Rudolf Faesch (1680–1762). The family was at times the richest family of Basel, and its rise was partially the result of clever marriage policies.
In the 18th century, the naval officer Franz Fesch (1711–1775) entered the service of the Republic of Genoa and established a branch in Corsica. Its most famous member, cardinal Joseph Fesch (1763–1839), was the uncle of Napoleon Bonaparte and was a member of the French imperial family during his nephew's rule. He became a French senator and a count in 1805 and was elevated to sovereign princely rank in 1806, and was granted the title of a Prince of France in 1807, a dignity held only by himself, Napoleon's siblings, Joachim Murat and Eugène de Beauharnais. He was a member of the Imperial House and in the order of succession to the French imperial throne in accordance with the French constitution of 1804 (Title III, Article 9, "The Imperial Family"). He was also made a Peer of France in 1815, and subsequently given the title of (Roman) Prince by the Pope. The Fesch Palace in Ajaccio today houses the Musée Fesch, one of France's finest collections of old masters and one of the most important Napoleonic collections. An art museum in Basel also named the Museum Faesch and established by Regimus Faesch in the 17th century is now part of the Basel Historical Museum.
Family members have lived in Switzerland, Corsica, Italy, France and Belgium. Many family members have been notable as jurists, bankers or military officers.
History
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Probably originating in Breisgau, the family became burghers of Basel in 1409 and were members of the council, and thus the ruling class, from 1494. Members of the family served continuously in the government of the city from the mid 16th century until the end of the 18th century. The family intermarried for centuries with other prominent patrician families. Remigius Faesch (ca. 1460–1533) was a famous architect.
The family were ennobled by Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor in 1562 and received a confirmation of their arms that added two stars to their crest. Thus the family held a dual status as patricians or members of the Daig of the burgher republic of Basel, and as nobles of the Holy Roman Empire.
As of 1659, the Faesch family was the richest family of Basel with a fortune of nearly 250,000 florins. Their family foundation still exists. The jurist, rector of the University of Basel and art collector Remigius Faesch (1595–1667) founded Museum Faesch, an art museum. Its collection became part of the University of Basel in 1823.
Several family members entered the service of various European princes. The diplomat Johann Rudolph Faesch (1669–1751) was an adviser to the Margrave of Baden, representative of the Elector of Trier and the Duke of Württemberg at the Court of France. Many family members were also notable as military officers.
The family converted to Protestantism in 1530, although the Corsica branch would later return to Catholicism, providing a Cardinal.
The family name Faesch or Fesch means roughly "chic" (as in "stylish").
Fesch as part of the imperial family of France
Franz Faesch (born 1711 in Basel, died 1775) became a naval officer (captain) in the service of the Republic of Genoa, posted to Corsica, and married Nobile Angela Maria Pietrasanta (born 1725, died 1790). Their son Joseph Fesch (born 1763 in Ajaccio, died 1839 in Rome) was the half-brother of Letizia Ramolino (a daughter of Angela Maria's first marriage) and through his sister the uncle of Napoleon Bonaparte, and fulfilled the role as protector of the Bonaparte family for some years from 1791. Joseph Fesch became Archbishop of Lyon as well as Ambassador to Rome in 1802, was named a cardinal in 1803, became a French senator and count in 1805, became Grand Almoner of France in 1805, obtained the rank of a sovereign prince with the style of Most Eminent Highness as he was chosen as coadjutor of the Prince-Bishopric of Regensburg in 1806, was named a Prince of France (prince français) with the style of Serene Highness in 1807, received the Great Eagle (the highest degree) of the Legion of Honour, was a Knight of the Order of the Golden Spur (1802), a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece (1805), became a Peer of France in 1815 and subsequently a (Roman) Prince (as a noble title in the Papal States. Joseph Fasch was also one of the most famous art collectors of his lifetime. He also wed his nephew Napoleon to Joséphine de Beauharnais in Paris in 1804, the day before he was crowned as Emperor of the French, and was chosen by Karl Theodor Anton Maria von Dalberg as successor and coadjutor bishop of the Prince-Bishopric of Regensburg in 1806.
The Fesch Palace in Ajaccio today houses the Musée Fesch.
Coat of arms
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Faesch family coat of arms -
Faesch family coat of arms with a baronial coronet as used by family members, as the family was ennobled by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1562. The two stars were added on the occasion of the ennoblement. -
Arms of Cardinal Joseph Fesch as a member of the French imperial family, Grand Almoner of France and a prince of the empire -
Arms of Joseph Fesch as a French imperial prince, based on the imperial coat of arms of France
Literature
- Friedrich Wilhelm Bautz (1990). "Faesch". In Bautz, Friedrich Wilhelm (ed.). Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL) (in German). Vol. 2. Hamm: Bautz. cols. 22–23. ISBN 3-88309-032-8.
- Jean Baptiste Lyonnet: Le Cardinal Fesch, archevêque de Lyon, primat des Gaules, etc., etc. Fragments biographiques, politiques et religieux pour servir à l'histoire ecclésiastique contemporaine. 2 Bde., Lyon-Paris, Perisse, 1841.
- Faesch in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.Error in template * unknown parameter name (Template:HDS): "Autor"
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Several family members held additional titles in vassal states | ||