Principality of Pontecorvo

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Principality of Ponte Corvo
Principato di Ponte Corvo
Client of the First French Empire

1806–1815
Flag Coat of Arms
Capital Ponte Corvo
Government Monarchy
Historical era Napoleonic Wars
 •  Creation 28 August 1806
 •  restored to papal control 28 August 1815

Although just within the territory of the Kingdom of Naples, Pontecorvo was an enclave of the Papal States from 1463, when the comune placed itself under papal jurisdiction, until it was captured by the French army in the Napoleonic Wars. After having been proclaimed King of Italy in 1805, Napoleon created Pontecorvo a principality for his General Jean Baptiste Bernadotte. The principality was nominally sovereign, but the Prince did have to take an oath to the King. It was short-lived, however, and in 1815 the town was ceded back to the Papal States. In 1820 the 'Republic' of Pontecorvo seceded from the Papal States, but Papal rule was restored in March 1821. In 1860 it joined Benevento, the other southern Italian papal enclave, in being united with the new Kingdom of Italy.

Princes of Pontecorvo[edit]