Gravina line Orsini family

princely arms of gravina line

the line of gravina, name of eponymous city in apulia, existing line of orsini. descends francesco (died 1456), son of count carlo of bracciano. of fief located in northern lazio, entered in neapolitan orbit when in 1418 called sergianni caracciolo fight against angevine troops, defeated. marriage, obtained title of count of gravina. made duke of gravina king alfonso, title assigned son giacomo (died 1472), had been added counties of conversano, campagna , copertino. 2 of francesco s son, marino (died 1471) , giovanni battista (died june 8, 1476), respectively archbishop of taranto , grand master of knights of rhodes.

the fourth duke, francesco, part of conspiracy along brothers giulio , paolo against cesare borgia found out , francesco strangled death on 18 january 1503 along brother paolo. 1 of francesco s nephews, flavio orsini, created cardinal in 1565. fifth duke, ferdinando (died december 6, 1549) had fiefs confiscated spaniards, regained after 40,000 scudi payment.

after heirless death of duke michele antonio (january 26, 1627), lands passed cousin pietro orsini, count of muro lucano (died 1641). latter s nephew pier francesco, had renounced succession in favour of brother domenico become dominican, later elected pope name of benedict xiii.

his successor raised benedict xiii s nephew, prince beroaldo orsini, dignity of prince assistants papal throne (title held until 1958), after emperor charles vi had already, in 1724, made him prince of holy roman empire. last cardinal family domenico.

the family moved rome in 18th century, duke domenico (november 23, 1790 – april 28, 1874), married maria luisa torlonia in 1823. in 1850 minister of war , general lieutenant of papal armies, and, also, senator of rome.

the remaining princely family represented prince domenico napoleone orsini, duke of gravina (b. 1948). no sons or male-line descendants, heir dukedom of gravina unmarried brother don benedetto orsini (b. 1956), followed cousin prince raimondo orsini d aragona (b. 1931).