Charles I, Lord of Monaco


Charles I of Monaco, Lord of Monaco was a 14th century soldier and noble. He was the founder of the Grimaldi dynasty.

Biography

The oldest son of Rainier I by his first wife, Salvatica del Carretto, Charles was forced to flee into exile following the Rock of Monaco falling into Genoese control on April 10, 1301.
He was appointed Admiral of France.
After thirty years of Genoese rule, Charles retook the Rock on 12 September 1331, and ruled until his death, when the Rock was again conquered by the Genoese army.
Also he was Baron of San Demetrio, in the Kingdom of Naples.
In 1346 he acquired the Lordship of Menton and, in 1355, he conquered the Lordship of Roquebrune.
On 29 June 1352, Charles designed a co-rulership of Monaco between his uncle Antonio, and his own sons, Rainier II and Gabriele.

Family

Charles I married Lucchina Spinola, a daughter of Girardo Spinola, Lord of Dertonne. They had eight children: