Rainier I of Monaco
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Rainier I of Monaco (born 1267 - died 1314) was, in fact, the first sovereign Grimaldi ruler of the area now known as Monaco. He also holder the title of Lord of Cagnes.
The oldest of the three sons of Lanfranco Grimaldi, French Vicar of Provence, by his wife, Aurelia del Carretto (who later remarried with his late husband nephew, François Grimaldi), Rainier joined to his stepfather and a group of men to take the Rock of Monaco; the event is commemorated on the Monegasque coat of arms, where the supporters are two monks armed with swords (because Francois dressed as monk and open at the gates of Monaco's castle). He held the citadel of Monaco 4 years and was finally chased out in April 10, 1301. In 1304 he was apointed admiral of France.
He married twice:
First, married Salvatica, daughter of Giacomo del Carretto, Margrave of Final. They have four children:
- Charles I, his sucessor.
- Vinciguerra; married Constancia Ruffa.
- Salvaggia; married Gabriel Vento.
- Luca, Lord of Villefranche; married firstly with Tedise, daughter of Daniel Cibo, and secondly with Catarina Carracioli.
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