Duchy of Parma

The duchy of Parma and Pleasure is an old State of the Italy between 1545 and 1860.

The creation of the duchy and the period Farnèse

First bourbons and foreign dominations

The niece Elisabeth Farnèse of the duke of Parma Antoine François Farnèse having married in 1715 the king Philippe V of Spain, transmits the duchy to the house of Bourbon of Spain under the terms of the Traité of London of 1718 which establishes the passage of the ducal throne to the children of Elisabeth, Dorothée Sophie is named regent until the arrival of Charles of Bourbon. Gift Carlo, wire of Philippe V and Elisabeth Farnèse is established duke of Parma under the name of Charles Iier. The Spain forces to him to yield Parma and Plaisance to his/her brother Philippe in exchange of the throne Royaume of Deux-Siciles which it will obtain in 1734 after having faced the Austrian troops. However the end of the War of succession of Poland sealed by the treated of Vienna of 1738 returns the duchy of Parma to Austria which manages it until in 1745 initially under the authority of Charles VI, then after its death on October 20th 1740 under that of Marie Therese which gives it to her husband François of Lorraine, large-duke of Tuscany.

The War of succession of Austria has just engaged which sees to be opposed the Austrian and Piedmontese troops to Spanish the auprès of which is committed Philippe Ier.
September 15th 1745, the Spanish troops after having occupied Plaisance occupies Parma and it is the general lieutenant marquis de Castellar who collects the act of obedience of the Parmesans with Elisabeth Farnèse, on October 22nd, 1745. The Austrians send: 70000 troops in Italy ordered by the General Braun, thus the general Gian Luca Pallavicini besiege Parma in April 1746 again. The Spaniards succeed in misleading the vigilance of the Austrians and move away from the city giving up the population to its fate.

The November 18th 1748, with the Treated of Aachen which puts an end to the war of succession of Austria, the duchies of Farnèse and Guastalla, where died out the dynasty of the Gonzague, are pledged with the empire under the supervision of the France and the Spain. Infant Philippe becomes duke of Parma, Plaisance and Guastalla until its death, it enters to Parma on July 1st 1749.

The duke Philippe develops a lit, expansive policy and Janséniste, in that supported by Guillaume of Tillot, its Prime Minister. He introduces reforms which cleanse finances, he reinforces the capacity of the State and he creates public schools. In 1768, it issues the expulsion of the Ordre of the Jesuits, the confiscation of the properties of the Catholic church and it removes the ecclesiastical courts.

Famous characters come to Parma, the philosopher Etienne Bonnot de Condillac who is the tutor of Ferdinand, the mathematician Auguste de Keralio which is the governor of 1757 with 1769 of Ferdinand, most of the exchanges between on the one hand the erudite French encyclopedists (D' Alembert, Condorcet, Bossut) and on the other hand the Milanese philosophers (Cesare Beccaria, Pietro Verri, Paolo Frisi) generally pass in fact by Keralio, the architect Ennemond Alexandre Petitot enriches Parma by its works.

Although under the supervision of France, the relationship diplomatic between the duchy and the empire develop leading to the marriage of Marie-Isabelle and of Joseph II of the Holy roman Empire.

The death of Philippe in 1765, Ferdinand I {{er}} of Parma succeeds to him. The France and the Spain put all works about it to organize the marriage of Ferdinand. Guillaume of Tillot, Prime Minister always in exercise, expresses its preference for Marie Béatrice d' Este, girl of the duke of Modena Ercole Renato, with died of this one, the two duchies would have amalgamated between the hands of Ferdinand. The duke of Choiseul proposes Miss d' Orléans, particularly rich person but Spain pushes back this proposal. The future Joseph II of Austria day before to the interests of the Empire, if the duchy remains without heir, this one could go back to Austria. France and Spain tergiversating, the court of Vienna makes converge the opinions of all by proposing Marie-Amélie of Habsbourg-Lorraine, girl of Marie-Therese of Austria and sister of Marie-Antoinette queen of France and wife of Louis XVI. The June 21st 1769, 19 years old Ferdinand asks for the hand of Marie-Amélie, 23 years old after the papal exemption because of their close relationship. The marriage is celebrated with Vienna by procuration the June 27th 1769. Marie-Amélie leaves Austria on July 1st 1769 and arrives at Mantoue the July 16th accompanied by her brother the Joseph emperor, Ferdinand goes in their opposition accompanied by the duke Sforza Cesarini and the duke Grillo. During a ceremony, the bishop confirms the marriage on July 19th in the Ducal Palais of Colorno and it is followed festivals and spectacles. The ducal couple joined Parma 24 in the morning.

On her arrival, Marie-Amélie wants to substitute the Austrian influence for that French and Spanish. She is opposed to the Prime Minister openly and obtains from her husband her reference in spite of the opposition of France and Spain. The two powers send the Spaniard Jose de Llano in the capacity as minister with very severe orders in order to cleanse the cases of the duchy which are always empty because of the disordered life of the ducal couple. Very badly accommodated, Jose de Llano is laid off in October 1772.

The changes brought by the French revolution and the danger to peace force Ferdinand to be declared neutral even if in same time, it signs a secret pact with Austria on May 13rd 1794. In 1796, Bonaparte is seen entrusting the army of Italy which between in Milan on May 15th after being entered in Plaisance and Parma on which heavy contributions are imposed. The duchy is a continual passage of troops which clash. In February 1801, by the Treated of Lunéville, the duke receives the Toscane and in May 1801 by the Traité of Aranjuez, it is despoiled duchy with the profit of France, his Ludovic son receives Étrurie, in the capacity as king. Ferdinand is then supervised by Médéric Louis Elie Moreau de Saint Méry which is presented to him by the count Francesco Schizzati on March 17th 1801. October 9th 1802, Ferdinand dies in Fontevivo can be by poisoning, the count Corrado Marazzini is suspecté. Dying Ferdinand, it indicates for Ludovic heir and regent the count Schizzati and the marquis Ventura, regency lasts only a few days, Moreau de Saint Méry fascinating possession of the duchy in the name of France.

With the annexation by France, the local system of measurement ends with the profit of that instituted by the French authorities. The units in force in the duchy of Parma were the following ones:

the lengths

Braccio ( arms ) = 12 ounce ( ounce ) X 12 punti ( not ) = 0,5452 m
Pertica (in the plural pertiche, pole ) = 6 braccia
Braccio di sete ( arm of silk ) = 0,5878 m
Braccio di tela ( arm of fabric ) = 0,6395 m

the surfaces

Biolca (in the plural Biolche) = 72 Tavole = 30,8144 ares = 3081,439 m ²
Tavola ( table ) = 12 Piedi ( foot ) = 42.80 m ²
Piede ( foot ) = 144 Ounce = 3.57 m ²
Oncia ( ounce ) = 0.29750 m ²
Staio = 12 tavole X 4 pole with the square

Employed in the Emilie and beyond that, the biolca is a very disparate measuring unit from one area to another since it corresponds to the surface which could plow, in one or two days, a pair of oxen is from 3000 to 6000 m ².

the capacities

Staio (bag) = 2 mine = 16 quartaroli = 47,040 liters
Brenta = 36 pint X 2 Boccali = 71.672 liters

the weights

Libbra ( delivers ) = 12 ounce X 24 denari =328 G
Rubbo = 25 libbre

the Napoleonean period

With resulting from the death of Ferdinand, Moreau de Saint-Méry takes possession of the duchy in the capacity as general managing director of the States Parmesans. By a series of administrative acts, it sets up important innovations in term of right: it abolishes the anti-Hebraic laws, prohibited torture, completely separates the civil laws from the criminal laws. It reforms the courts by introducing new laws, some derived from the French new legislation. July 1st 1805, the legal reforms that it set up disappear with the introduction from the code Napoleon into all the empire.

Napoleon I {{er}} goes only once to Parma and one day the June 27th 1805, it places in the count Stefano Sanvitale, right-hand man of the mode.

The dissatisfaction with the population related on the increase in the taxes (creation of a tax on the doors and windows) and to the military conscription with: 12000 men establishes on June 16th culminates in 1806 with the revolt of the peasants of Manor house San Giovanni, who degenerates into combat with the French soldiers with Bardi, Borgotaro. Napoleon sees in these events the proof of the incapacity of Moreau to manage the situation the more so as its management is not with the height of that waited by Paris and until the contribution of Parma is not sufficient. Napoleon makes point out Moreau the January 28th 1806 and replaces it by the general Junot, appointed general governor, associated with the administrator prefect Hugues Nardon. Junot takes the station with orders for a severe repression, to make burn five or six villages, to shoot an about sixty anybody , it resigns of its station on June 7th, 1806 and it is replaced by the marshal of Pérignon, there will be twenty and one executions. Nardon issues, in 1806, the division of the territory in thirteen town halls according to the French communal laws, the mayor of Parma being the count Sanvitale, the acts public are written in French. Of 1810 with 1814 the baron Dupont-Delporte manages the department, as of 1808, the two duchies form the French department of the Taro. Jean-Jacques-Governed of Cambacérès has just been appointed Prince of the Empire and duke of Parma the April 24th 1808, not very interested by this title, he never goes to Parma. Dupont-Delporte removes the university and downgrades the Academy of Beautiful arts.

After the defeat of Napoleon I {{er}} with the Battle of Leipzig of 1813, the Austrian troops assisted of the Neapolitan troops of Murat and ordered by the general Nugent advances since Modena and enters to Parma the February 13rd 1814 without avoiding engagements with the French troops. The March 9th, the Austrians set up a provisional government.

From this period, there remains the realization partial of the land register, the enlarging of the Via Emilia convenes in Paris Naples what confers the row of imperial road to him, the realization of the road Parma Spezia length a 142 kilometers.

the Napoleonean period post

So certain pages of the history of Parma were forgotten by the inhabitants of Parma, the reign of Marie-Louise of Austria, second wife of Napoleon I {{er}}, remains very present in the spirit of the inhabitants of Parma, and it profits still today from a very great notoriety.

Article 5 of the treated of Fontainebleau establishes the April 11th 1814 that the duchies of Parma, Plaisance and Guastalla will belong in any property and sovereignty to its Majesty the Marie-Louise Empress. Those Ci will go to his/her son and his descent in hot line. The prince, his son, will take as from this moment the title of Prince de Parme, Plaisance and Guastalla . These measurements are partially confirmed by the Congrès of Vienna of the June 9th 1815, however the succession with the Duc of Reichstadt is suspended on the profit of the Bourbons of Lucca, which will be confirmed at the time of the Traité of Paris on July 10th 1817.

The March 31st 1815, Marie-Louise since Schönbrunn request on its subjects to lend obedience to his/her father, the emperor François Ier so that it manages temporarily the duchy. The March 7th 1816, the emperor states to restore the mandate with his/her Marie-Louise daughter. Finally decided to control its States, Marie-Louise, 25 years old, its entry in Parma the April 9th makes accompanied by the count of Adam Albert de Neipperg, his minister and lover of which it will have three children.

Neipperg taken charges with it the external and military businesses and the minister Magawly-Cerati the administration. During this period, the Academy of Beautiful arts takes again life, the churches are reopened as well as the Collège of Noble the which amalgamated with that of Lalatta gives the Marie-Louise college. The palate of the University is entrusted to the Jesuits. Magawly-Cerati suspected of Bonapartism gives up its load the December 27th 1816 and the duchess removes her ministry, Neipperg takes in hand all the functions.

As of 1817, Vienna informs Neipperg that in Suisse, there exist secret organizations resulting from the duchy called Unitari, Guelfi, Carbonari, that whose Neipperg doubts, judging the duchy of quietest Marie the Louise of Italy. Between 1819 and 1820, the Sublimi and the Carbonari try to organize an insurrection, Marie Louise is obliged, under the pressure of Vienna to create a commission of civilians and soldiers who judge the carbonari with justice and leniency.

The February 22nd 1829 at fifty four years the count de Neipperg dies. During thirteen years, it managed with wisdom the duchy in the name of Marie-Louise and he is regretted of all.

In 1831, the people in revolt, while acclaiming the duchess, claims a constitution and the head of the Secretary of State in place since 1820, the colonel Werklien, appointed Prime Minister by Austria after the death of Neipperg. Werklien does not have the support of Metternich and applies too rigid measurements. Death threat, Werklien flees of Parma and Marie Louise goes to Plaisance. The February 15th, a provisional government is made up, the March 10th the Austrian troops approach Parma and the government makes act of tender towards Marie-Louise who abolishes all the measurements taken by the provisional government. Between June and July 1831, the members of the provisional government are judged. The August 8th, Marie-Louise returns to Parma in an atmosphere of coldest. The July 12th 1832, the duchess is struck by a misfortune which destroys it, his/her son the duke of Reichstadt is deceased in Schönbourg. To replace Werklien, the baron Marschall then the count Charles de Bombelles (1785-1856) follow one another like Prime Minister.

The February 17th 1834, Marie-Louise marries the count de Bombelles who is appointed by Metternich. The administration of Bombelles is wise, in fact, Austria through Bombelles, day before on the duchy so that the liberalism choked in 1831 do not re-appear.

The last revolutionary episode proceeds whereas Marie-Louise is in convalescence with Meidlingen. The June 17th 1847, of the students attack the palate of the bishop Neuschel, culprit to be foreign. The army intervened, the revolt is diffused. The count de Bombelles returns to Parma or it relieves and made imprisoned all the employees of liberal states. It is in these circumstances that Marie-Louise returns to Parma without being cured, it fails one month and dies the December 17th 1847 liked of all its subjects.

In accordance with the treaty of Paris, to died of Marie-Louise the duchy passes to the House of Bourbon-Parma with Charles II of Parma wire of Ludovic, king d' Etrurie.

From this period, there remains a duchess loved of all which renews town planning in order to give to Parma the dimension of a capital, the selected artistic form being the neo-classic one. Among works, one notes: a bridge on the Taro, the cemetery of Villetta, the theater Regio inaugurated on May 16th 1829 with the Zaira of Bellini written for the occasion, the transformation of the Pilotta and the ducal Palate, Beccherie and the ducal library.

Bourbons and end of the duchy

In accordance with the treaty of Paris, to died of Marie-Louise, the duchy must pass to the House of Bourbon-Parma to Charles Ludovic de Bourbon but the situation is not also simple. The baron Neumann, adviser of the Emperor, elected from Vienna to Parma, reports to Metternich that with dead of the duchess, the liberals would have tried an insurrection. The mayor of Parma, the count Cantelli is relieved because he sought to create a provisional government before the arrival of the new duke.

The December 31st 1847, Bombelles announces in Metternich the arrival of the new duke Charles Ludovic accompanied by his son, the duke takes the name of Charles II. Charles II is weak and cheap creating a climate of suspicion and mistrust, ensuring Vienna as with the liberals of the promises which it does not hold. The news of an insurrection in Milan ignites Parma and the March 20th 1848 bursts the revolt, the inhabitants meet out of weapons and with tricolor rosettes, there are shots, deaths and casualties. The son of the duke began a repressive action but Charles II orders to cease it fire and he abdicates naming a regency made up of the count Cantelli and the Gioia lawyer who are charged to write a constitution. The regents associated with the count Martini, with monseigneur Carletti and Bandini forms a provisional government whose acts are entitled in the name of the Provisional government of Iier State of Parma . Charles II then decides to leave the duchy, which it does the April 8th 1848, it takes refuge with Weisstropp in Saxony. The crown prince named by his father general major has flees to go in the camp of Charles-Albert of Sardinia, but this one does not accept it and the fact of imprisoning during months initially with Crémone then in Milan. The June 5th, the Austrians beaten by the Piedmontese one pass by again by Parma. The Sardinian police chief takes possession of the duchy and proclaims the annexation but following the armistice of Salasco, the Austrian troops are again with the doors of Parma. The August 18th, the marshal count of Thurn creates a military provisional government approved by Charles II in exile. After the disaster of Novare, the Austrians replace on the throne Charles II which definitively abdicates for his/her son Charles Ferdinand the March 14th 1849 which since London accepts a commission ensuring the administrative and executive capacities until its arrival. Charles assembles on the throne with the name of Charles III of Bourbon the August 25th 1849. Very discussed, intelligent but odd character, one of these first actions were to intervene against the members of regency and to establish a charged commission to study the expenditure of the revolutionary government.

The duke known as to want the independence of Austria on which it is dependant and on which it could count in the event of external attacks or of internal revolts. Extravaguant, it requires these subjects a control which it does not have and violent one shows itself. The duchy is divided between liberals and legitimist, movement resulting from the French restoration which is pressed on a campaign traditionalist, the liberals being rather the townsmen. In 1853, the legitimists of Parma supported by the duchess Louise-Marie de Berry, girl of the Duke of Berry Charles Ferdinand d' Artois and sister of the count de legitimate Chambord applicant with the throne of France, wants the abdication of the duke whereas it is in operation in Austria. Put at the current, the duke makes supervise the duchess narrowly and returns the civils servant having taken part in the plot. In Parma, the taxes increase, the inhabitants live under the monitoring of the chief of the Bassetti police force which signs many orders of corporal punishment, according to the requirements of the duke. Dissatisfaction downtown is strong and a climate of murder matures, the duke was stabbed the March 26th 1854 per Antonio Carra, Charles III dies the following day.

The March 27th, the Louise-Marie widow announcing the death of her husband, proclaims his son sovereign new Robert, itself ensuring regency. Louise Marie replaces the totality of the government in order to establish a more serene environment, with the military government of Charles III, the government set up must seek neutrality and independence with respect to Austria but the July 22nd 1854, the anxious subjects try a revolt. All begin with the occupation from two coffees, the troops arrived on the spot draw what causes an insurrectionary situation that the Austrian army represses violently. Louise Marie shows her hostility with a too excessive legal repression and asks the end of the lawsuits and for the return in Austria of official hardest. The economy is cleansed, the state education developed as well as the assistance with the poorest population. In May 1859, follow of new disorders which cause the departure followed by its return. June 9th 1859, Louise-Marie leaves definitively Parma not without to have exposed its disapproval in a letter of protest written to Zurich the March 28th. September 15th, 1859, the dynasty of the Bourbons is déchue and Parma enters the province of the Emilie.

In 1860, the duchy between after a plebiscite in the Kingdom of Sardinia and thus the Kingdom of Italy.

Appendices

List of the dukes of Parma
House Farnèse

Sources

Parma Edition Quaderni Parmensi, of Gianfranco Stella (1988)
Parma E Vienna Edition Artegrafica Silva - Parma, of Adele Vittoria Marchi (1988)
Napoleone Bonaparte has Parma nel 1805 Edition MUP, of Mario Zannoni (2006)

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