TheFaesch family,also spelledFesch,is a prominentSwiss,French,Belgian,CorsicanandItaliannoblefamily, originally apatricianfamily ofBasel.Known since the early 15th century, the family received a confirmation of nobility from theHoly Roman Emperorin 1563. It was continuously represented in the governing bodies of thecity-republic of Baselfor centuries, and three members served asBurgomasters,i.e.heads of state,namely Remigius Faesch (1541–1610), Johann Rudolf Faesch (1572–1659) and Johann Rudolf Faesch (1680–1762). The family was at times the richest family of Basel, and its rise was partially the result of clever marriage policies.
| Fesch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | French Empire Papal States |
| Founded | 1806 |
| Founder | Joseph Fesch |
| Titles | sovereign Prince Prince of France Prince (of the Papal States) |
| Style(s) | Serene Highness |
| Estate(s) | France |
In the 18th century, the naval officer Franz Fesch (1711–1775) entered the service of theRepublic of Genoaand established a branch inCorsica.Its most famous member,CardinalJoseph Fesch(1763–1839), was the uncle ofNapoleon Bonaparteand was a member of theFrench imperial familyduring his nephew's rule. He became a Frenchsenatorand acountin 1805, was elevated tosovereignprincelyrank in 1806, and was granted the title of aPrince of Francein 1807, a dignity held only by himself, Napoleon's siblings,Joachim MuratandEugène de Beauharnais.He was a member of the Imperial House and in theorder of successionto the French imperial throne in accordance with theFrench constitution of 1804(Title III, Article 9, "The Imperial Family" ). He was also made aPeer of Francein 1815, and subsequently given the title of (Roman) Prince by the Pope. The Fesch Palace inAjacciotoday houses theMusée Fesch,one of France's finest collections ofold mastersand one of the most important Napoleonic collections.
Family members have lived in Switzerland, Corsica, Italy, France and Belgium. Many family members have been notable as jurists, bankers or military officers.Isaac Faesch(1687–1758) was governor of theDutch Antilles1740–1758.
History
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The family is said to be of ancient nobility fromValaisin Switzerland.[1]Two brothers of the family acquired the hereditary burghership of Basel in 1409. Family members became members of the council, and thus the ruling class of the city-republic of Basel, from 1494. Members of the family served continuously in the government of the city from the mid 16th century until the end of the 18th century. Several family members also became Burgomaster's and thus heads of the republic, and others became Rectors of theUniversity of Basel.The family intermarried for centuries with other prominent patrician families.Remigius Faesch(ca. 1460–1533) was a famous architect.
The goldsmith and member of the city council Hans Rudolf Faesch (1510–1564) wasennobledbyFerdinand I, Holy Roman Emperorin 1563 and received a confirmation of the family arms that added two stars to their crest. Thus the family held a dual status as patricians or members of theDaigof the burgher republic of Basel, and as nobles of theHoly Roman Empire.
As of 1659, the Faesch family was the richest family of Basel with a fortune of nearly 250,000florins.Their family foundation still exists. The jurist, rector of theUniversity of Baseland art collectorRemigius Faesch(1595–1667) foundedMuseum Faesch,an art museum. Its collection became part of the University of Basel in 1823.
Several family members entered the service of various European princes. The diplomat Johann Rudolph Faesch (1669–1751) was an adviser to theMargrave of Baden,representative of theElector of Trierand theDuke of Württembergat the Court of France. Many family members were also notable as military officers.
The family converted toProtestantismin 1530, although the Corsica branch would later return toCatholicism,providing aCardinal.
A branch of the family settled inGenevain the 19th century, whereAlphonse François Faeschbecame a judge. His son, the engineerJules Faesch,became a co-owner of theFaesch and Piccardcompany, and married Amélie de Senarclens de Vuflens (1842-1910), who inheritedVufflens Castlefrom her father.
The family name Faesch or Fesch means roughly "chic"(as in" stylish ").
Fesch as part of the imperial family of France
editFranz Faesch (born 1711 inBasel,died 1775) became a naval officer (captain) in the service of theRepublic of Genoa,posted toCorsica,and marriedNobileAngela Maria Pietrasanta (born 1725, died 1790). Their sonJoseph Fesch(born 1763 inAjaccio,died 1839 inRome) was the half-brother ofLetizia Ramolino(a daughter of Angela Maria's first marriage) and through his sister the uncle ofNapoleon Bonaparte.He fulfilled the role of protector of the Bonaparte family for some years from 1791. Joseph Fesch becameArchbishop of Lyonin 1802, was named aCardinalin 1803, became French Ambassador to Rome in 1804, became a Frenchsenatorandcountin 1805, becameGrand Almoner of Francein 1805, obtained the rank of asovereignprincewith thestyleofMost Eminent Highnessas he was chosen ascoadjutorof thePrince-Bishopric of Regensburgin 1806, was named aFrench Prince(prince français) with thestyleofSerene Highnessin 1807, received the Great Eagle (the highest degree) of theLegion of Honour,was a Knight of theOrder of the Golden Spur(1802), a Knight of theOrder of the Golden Fleece(1805), became aPeer of Francein 1815 and subsequently[when?]a (Roman) Prince (as a noble title in thePapal States). Joseph Fesch was also one of the most famous art collectors of his lifetime. He wed his nephew Napoleon toJoséphine de Beauharnaisin Paris in 1804, the day before Napoleon crowned himself asEmperor of the French.Cardinal Fesch lived out his days at thePalazzo Falconieriin Rome, dedicating himself to art and to beneficence.
Notable family members
edit- Caroline Weldon,née Faesch (1844–1921), American civil rights activist, Indian rights activist of the late 19th century,[2]
- Remigius Faesch (builder)(about 1460–1533/1534), builder of the late Gothic era
- Christoph Faesch(1611–1683), historian
- John Jacob Faesch(1729-1799), black smith and iron master, patriot of the American Revolution
- Johannes Faesch(1779–1856), merchant
- Jules Faesch(1833–1895), engineer
- Emil Faesch(1865–1915), architect
- Isaac Faesch(1687–1758), merchant and governor of the Dutch Antilles 1740–1758[3]
The Fesch Palace inAjaccioas of 2014[update]houses theMusée Fesch.
Coat of arms
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Coat of arms of Johann Jakob Faesch, rector of theUniversity of Basel,1612 -
Faesch family coat of arms -
Faesch family coat of arms with a baronialcoronetas used by family members, as the family was ennobled by theHoly Roman Emperorin 1563. The two stars were added on the occasion of the ennoblement. -
Arms of CardinalJoseph Feschas a member of the French imperial family,Grand Almoner of Franceand a prince of the Empire
References
edit- ^Zeitung für den deutschen Adel, Vol. 1, p. 414, Helbig, 1840
- ^Caroline Weldon, née Faesch genealogyhttp://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry /cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=caroline_weldon&id=I03
- ^Dutch Atlantic connections, 1680-1800: linking empires, bridging borders/ edited by Gert Oostindie, Jessica V. Roitman. Leiden: Brill, 2014. 440 S.: Ill.ISBN978-90-04-27132-6.Seiten 40f
Literature
edit- Friedrich Wilhelm Bautz (1990). "Faesch". In Bautz, Friedrich Wilhelm (ed.).Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL)(in German). Vol. 2. Hamm: Bautz. cols. 22–23.ISBN3-88309-032-8.
- Jean Baptiste Lyonnet:Le Cardinal Fesch, archevêque de Lyon, primat des Gaules, etc., etc. Fragments biographiques, politiques et religieux pour servir à l'histoire ecclésiastique contemporaine.2 Bde., Lyon-Paris, Perisse, 1841.
- Samuel Schüpbach-Guggenbühl:FaeschinGerman,FrenchandItalianin the onlineHistorical Dictionary of Switzerland.
External links
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