Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies (b. 1751)

Ferdinand I: A Monarch Navigating Napoleonic Turmoil and Royal Restoration

Born on 12 January 1751 and passing on 4 January 1825, Ferdinand I holds a unique place in European history as the King of the Two Sicilies from 1816. His ascension to this newly unified kingdom marked a significant political restoration following the tumultuous era of the Napoleonic Wars. Prior to this, his reign spanned decades under different titles: from 1759, he was recognized as Ferdinand IV of the Kingdom of Naples, governing the southern Italian mainland, and simultaneously as Ferdinand III of the Kingdom of Sicily, encompassing the large island of Sicily itself. Beyond these prominent domains, Ferdinand also held the title of King of Gozo, a smaller but strategically located island in the Maltese archipelago.

A Reign Defined by Deposition and Restoration

Ferdinand's long rule was characterized by repeated disruptions and eventual restorations, largely influenced by the volatile political landscape of revolutionary and Napoleonic Europe. He was deposed from the throne of Naples on two distinct occasions. The first instance occurred in 1799, when the short-lived, French-backed revolutionary Parthenopean Republic seized control of Naples for approximately six months. This period was a direct consequence of the expansion of French revolutionary ideals and military might into the Italian peninsula, leading to the overthrow of established monarchies. Ferdinand was forced to flee to Sicily, which remained loyal to him under British naval protection.

His second deposition from Naples came in 1805, directly at the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte. As part of his broader reorganization of European states, Napoleon replaced Ferdinand with his own brother, Joseph Bonaparte, as King of Naples in 1806. When Joseph was subsequently moved to the Spanish throne in 1808, Napoleon appointed his brother-in-law, Joachim Murat, as the new King of Naples. Throughout these Napoleonic interregnums, Ferdinand maintained his court in Sicily, awaiting an opportunity for restoration. This finally arrived in 1816, a pivotal year following Napoleon's ultimate defeat at the Battle of Waterloo and the subsequent Congress of Vienna. The Congress, an assembly of European powers, aimed to restore the pre-Napoleonic order and redraw the continent's map, leading to Ferdinand's return to the mainland and the formal unification of his Neapolitan and Sicilian realms into the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, effectively combining the two historical kingdoms he previously ruled.

Royal Lineage and the Foundation of a New Dynasty

Ferdinand I was the third son of King Charles VII of Naples and V of Sicily and his wife, Maria Amalia of Saxony. His lineage was deeply entrenched in the powerful European House of Bourbon. A significant dynastic shift occurred on 10 August 1759, when his father, King Charles, succeeded his elder brother, Ferdinand VI, to become King Charles III of Spain. However, intricate treaty provisions, notably from the Treaties of Vienna (1738) and Aix-la-Chapelle (1748), explicitly prevented the union of the Spanish crown with the crowns of Naples and Sicily under a single monarch. These provisions were crucial for maintaining the delicate balance of power among European states, particularly preventing an overwhelming concentration of Bourbon power.

Consequently, on 6 October 1759, Charles III abdicated his Neapolitan and Sicilian titles. He designated his third son, Ferdinand, as the rightful heir to these Italian kingdoms. This decision was necessitated by the circumstances of his elder sons: his eldest son, Philip, Duke of Calabria, had been excluded from succession due to severe developmental illnesses and intellectual disabilities, rendering him unfit to rule. His second son, also named Charles (who would later become Charles IV of Spain), was the designated heir-apparent to the much larger and more prestigious Spanish throne. Thus, Ferdinand's elevation to the Neapolitan and Sicilian thrones at a very young age was a direct result of these complex dynastic rules and international agreements. This pivotal moment also marked Ferdinand as the founder of the cadet House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, a distinct branch of the vast Bourbon dynasty that would govern the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies until its eventual incorporation into the unified Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ferdinand I

Who was Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies?

Ferdinand I (1751-1825) was the monarch who unified the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of Sicily into the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1816. He had previously reigned as Ferdinand IV of Naples and Ferdinand III of Sicily from 1759.

Why was Ferdinand I deposed twice?

Ferdinand I was deposed first in 1799 by the short-lived revolutionary Parthenopean Republic, a French-backed state. He was deposed a second time in 1805 by Napoleon Bonaparte, who installed his family members (Joseph Bonaparte and Joachim Murat) as rulers of Naples.

When was Ferdinand I restored to power?

Ferdinand I was fully restored to his thrones and subsequently created the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1816, following the defeat of Napoleon and the diplomatic resolutions of the Congress of Vienna.

What was the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies?

The House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies was a cadet branch of the wider European House of Bourbon, founded by Ferdinand I. It governed the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from 1816 until the kingdom's dissolution in 1861 during the unification of Italy.

Why did Ferdinand I become King instead of his older brothers?

Ferdinand I became King of Naples and Sicily because his eldest brother, Philip, was excluded from succession due to health issues, and his second brother, Charles, was the designated heir to the Spanish throne. Additionally, international treaty provisions prevented the union of the Spanish and Italian crowns under a single monarch.