Ascanio Filomarino
Encyclopedia
Ascanio Filomarino was an Italian
Roman Catholic cardinal
, who was Archbishop of Naples from 1641 to 1666.
and became an ordained Cardinal priest in 1641. He participated in the conclaves of 1644 and 1655.
Filomarino is of particular interest in the history of Naples since he was cardinal during two especially turbulent periods: Masaniello
's revolt in 1645 and the severe plague
epidemic of 1656.
Filomarino's role in the revolt of 1647 was one of mediation between the rebels and the government. He was outspoken in his opposition to increasing taxation in the Spanish vicerealm of Naples, monies that the Spanish needed to pay for their part in the Thirty Years War. He was a focal point for the people against the overbearing Spanish throne and was trusted by the rebel Masaniello as well as by Giulio Genoino
, the apparent real political strategist behind the revolt. As cardinal, however, he was part of the establishment and could approach the government; thus, he was in an ideal position to mediate.
Filomarino certainly was aware of popular discontent in Naples and warned the Pope that the masses were "boiling".
Some sources claim that Filomarino was primarily interested in reducing the power of the large landed Spanish noble class in favor of the growing, but overtaxed, merchant middle class in Naples. Further—so the claim—when Filomarino had used Masaniello to that end, he (Filomarino) arranged to have the rebel delivered into the hands of captors, where he was murdered. Such a claim is impossible to substantiate.
There are a number of anecdotes about Filomarino. One is that during the plague of 1656, he ordered the churches to care for the stricken, yet apparently was among the first to seek refuge in the monastery of San Martino.. Another was that he had to be reminded by Rome that the sacred relics of San Gennaro (Saint Januarius
), patron saint of the city, were not his own personal property and that he was not authorized to claim, as he had, that "…the relics are mine…", nor authorized to remove them from the premises of the Cathedral of Naples
for the purpose of soliciting miraculous cures in private homes.
Cardinal Filomarino died on November 3, 1666, and is buried in the cathedral of Naples
.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Roman Catholic cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
, who was Archbishop of Naples from 1641 to 1666.
Biography
He was born in Naples of the noble family of the dukes Della Torre. Eldest of the five sons of Claudio Filomarino and Porzia di Leonessa, he obtained a doctorate of law in BeneventoBenevento
Benevento is a town and comune of Campania, Italy, capital of the province of Benevento, 50 km northeast of Naples. It is situated on a hill 130 m above sea-level at the confluence of the Calore Irpino and Sabato...
and became an ordained Cardinal priest in 1641. He participated in the conclaves of 1644 and 1655.
Filomarino is of particular interest in the history of Naples since he was cardinal during two especially turbulent periods: Masaniello
Masaniello
Masaniello was a Neapolitan fisherman, who became leader of the revolt against Spanish Habsburg rule in Naples in 1647.-Name and place of birth:...
's revolt in 1645 and the severe plague
Bubonic plague
Plague is a deadly infectious disease that is caused by the enterobacteria Yersinia pestis, named after the French-Swiss bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin. Primarily carried by rodents and spread to humans via fleas, the disease is notorious throughout history, due to the unrivaled scale of death...
epidemic of 1656.
Filomarino's role in the revolt of 1647 was one of mediation between the rebels and the government. He was outspoken in his opposition to increasing taxation in the Spanish vicerealm of Naples, monies that the Spanish needed to pay for their part in the Thirty Years War. He was a focal point for the people against the overbearing Spanish throne and was trusted by the rebel Masaniello as well as by Giulio Genoino
Giulio Genoino
Giulio Genoino , the 'mind of Masaniello', was a key figure in the 7 July 1647 popular insurrection against Spanish authority in Naples. A priest, lawyer, and academic, Genoino had for three decades attempted to influence constitutional change to involve the Third Estate in the government of the city...
, the apparent real political strategist behind the revolt. As cardinal, however, he was part of the establishment and could approach the government; thus, he was in an ideal position to mediate.
Filomarino certainly was aware of popular discontent in Naples and warned the Pope that the masses were "boiling".
Some sources claim that Filomarino was primarily interested in reducing the power of the large landed Spanish noble class in favor of the growing, but overtaxed, merchant middle class in Naples. Further—so the claim—when Filomarino had used Masaniello to that end, he (Filomarino) arranged to have the rebel delivered into the hands of captors, where he was murdered. Such a claim is impossible to substantiate.
There are a number of anecdotes about Filomarino. One is that during the plague of 1656, he ordered the churches to care for the stricken, yet apparently was among the first to seek refuge in the monastery of San Martino.. Another was that he had to be reminded by Rome that the sacred relics of San Gennaro (Saint Januarius
Januarius
Januarius, Bishop of Naples, is a martyr saint of the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox Churches. While no contemporary sources on his life are preserved, later sources and legends claim that he died during the Diocletianic Persecution, which ended with Diocletian's retirement in...
), patron saint of the city, were not his own personal property and that he was not authorized to claim, as he had, that "…the relics are mine…", nor authorized to remove them from the premises of the Cathedral of Naples
Cathedral of Naples
Naples Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral, the main church of Naples, southern Italy, and the seat of the Archbishop of Naples. It is widely known as the Cattedrale di San Gennaro, in honour of Saint Januarius, the city's patron saint, but is actually dedicated to the Assumption of the...
for the purpose of soliciting miraculous cures in private homes.
Cardinal Filomarino died on November 3, 1666, and is buried in the cathedral of Naples
Cathedral of Naples
Naples Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral, the main church of Naples, southern Italy, and the seat of the Archbishop of Naples. It is widely known as the Cattedrale di San Gennaro, in honour of Saint Januarius, the city's patron saint, but is actually dedicated to the Assumption of the...
.