Il Giglio borbonico e L’Aquila imperiale. Scontro politico, congiura e progetti autonomistici nel Regno di Napoli agli albori del Settecento

Abstract

After the death of King Charles II of Spain, the battle for the succession between Philip of Bourbon and Charles of Habsburg is based on official and secret relationship, and on the intertwining of military solutions, diplomatic strategies and legal claims. In the provinces belonging to the Two Century-old Spanish Empire, the ruling elites are forced to take sides and to choose which contender to support. In the Kingdom of Naples begins to spread the independence mirage, proposed by the possible succession of Charles of Habsburg, who promises to the Neapolitans a radical mutation of status, with the creation of a “national king” to Naples. So, an “aristocratic party”, already existing in Naples and aspiring to a res publica aristocratica, is transformed into “Habsburg party”, at the beginning of the conflict between the Habsburgs and the Bourbons, and is dedicated to plan a pro-Habsburg conspiracy. In September 1701, it is concocted the so-called “conspiracy of Macchia”, accompanied by a revolt that intends to encourage the conquest of the kingdom by Charles of Habsburg. Many important Neapolitan nobles take part in the conspiracy and, after its failure, they are condemned and forced to flee to Vienna. Among these noble men, there is the Prince of Caserta Gaetano Francesco Caetani. The research is based on unpublished sources, preserved in Italian and Austrian archives.