The Princes of Belmonte descended from the
Fieschi,
Counts Palatine of
Lavagna. The Fieschi were one of the main families of
Genoa, along with the
Grimaldi,
Spinola and
Doria families. In the 13th century, the Fieschi were allied to the
House of Grimaldi, modern day Princes of
Monaco, in the struggle between the
Guelphs and Ghibellines. The current prince is 35th in line from Frisco, 1st Count of Lavagna. The rank of
Count Palatine was confirmed once again at
Lucca on 27 May 1369 by
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor of the
House of Luxembourg. Later confirmations of the Fieschi status as direct
vassals to the
Holy Roman Emperor were given by the
House of Habsburg in 1521, 1529, 1568, and 1620. Beltramino Fieschi, 7th Count of Lavagna, was succeeded by his son Gerardo Fieschi, 8th Count, who was known as 'Gerardo Ravascherius'. Taking the name Ravaschieri Fieschi, this branch rose to greater prominence as royal bankers in the Kingdom of Naples: Giovanni Battista was appointed Master of the Mint of Naples and Aquila (Maestro di Zecca di Napoli e L'Aquila) in 1552 under His Imperial Majesty
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (1516–1554), and his seal of 'IBR' frequently appears on the coinage of that time. Giovanni Battista was one of 7 children, of whom the eldest brother Giovan Francesco, was Prior of Bari of the
Order of Malta (died 1555). Germano followed his father as 'Maestro di Zecca', under King
Philip II of Spain, and was the father of Giovan Battista, 1st Baron of Badolato, and therefore grandfather of Orazio, the first Prince of Belmonte. The princely title of Belmonte has descended to its present holder through the following houses: Ravaschieri Fieschi, Squarciafico Pinelli, and
Pignatelli y Aymerich. The heiress of the last of these married the Marquess of
Castellabate, uniting her lands and titles with those of the Granito family, patricians of
Salerno (Seggio di Campo) since 1380. ==Residences==