Farnese family.

Authorities do not agree on the origin of this noble Roman family. It is generally believed that in the eleventh or twelfth century the family took its name from its fief of Castrum Farneti, then called Farnese. Up to the fourteenth century the Farnese were small feudalists at the service of various cities, particularly Viterbo and Orvieto. The oldest sources on the family indicate that in 1154 a Prudenzio Farnese received Adrian IV into the town of Orvieto. A Pietro defended the city against Henry VI, and another Pietro went to the aid of Florence when it was threatened by Henry VII. Guido was bishop of Orvieto in 1303 and in 1309 consecrated the Duomo.

Ranuccio the elder (d. 1460) transferred the Farnese residence to Rome, where he was made senator in 1417 and given benefices by Martin V and Eugene IV. His sons entered into the Roman aristocracy through marriage. Gabriele married Isabella Orsini and Pier-Luigi married Giovannella Caetani di Sermoneta. A son of Gabriele Ranuccio died in the battle of Fornovo. Laura, a daughter of Giulia, married Niccolo della Rovere, nephew of Julius II.

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