Rainier I of Monaco, Lord of Cagnes

Who was Rainier I of Monaco, Lord of Cagnes?

Rainier I of Monaco was the first sovereign Grimaldi ruler of the area now known as Monaco. He also held the title of Lord of Cagnes. Cagnes was the town where in 1309 he established a stronghold, today known as the Château Grimaldi.

The eldest of the three sons of Lanfranco Grimaldi, French Vicar of Provence, by his wife, Aurelia del Carretto, Rainier joined his stepfather and a group of men to take the castle on the Rock of Monaco; the event is commemorated on the Monegasque coat of arms, where the supporters are two monks armed with swords. Rainier held the citadel of Monaco for four years before departing on April 10, 1301. In 1304 he was appointed Admiral of France after winning the Battle of Zierikzee.

He married twice: firstly, Salvatica del Carretto, daughter of Giacomo del Carretto, Margrave of Finale. They had four children:

Charles I, his successor.

Vinciguerra, who married Costanza Ruffa.

Salvaggia, who married Gabriele Vento.

Luca, Lord of Villefranche; married firstly Tedise, daughter of Daniel Cybo, and secondly Caterina Caracciolo.