Draft:Roero Family

The Roero, Rotari, Roverio or Roure were one of the major families from the nobilty of Asti

The family was not aligned with Guelph or Ghibelline groups. With the increase in its profits obtained from trade and pawnbroking, it increased its political weight exponentially by holding positions both locally and nationally.

The many family lines (more than twenty in the 16th century) with purchases and feuds occupied the area located in the north-eastern part of the province of Cuneo still called Roero today.

Origins and legends

According to a legend, the family was originally from Flanders with Ghilione, famous leader in the crusade of 1099 who, during the battle, beheaded a leader of the Muslim army and for this reason was carried in triumph to Jerusalem on a three-wheeled triumphal chariot, which they were depicted on his shield to remember his feat.

Another story says that the Roeros descend from the Lombard king Rotari, or were privileged to bear his name, abandoning that of Troia.

History

The prudent family policy allowed members of the family to always be present in public offices in the city: Guglielmo was sindacus several times between 1217 and 1224. Thomas became sapiens of the municipality and ambassador. He held public offices until his death in 1315. Manfredino was governor and rector between 1335 and 1342.

Bonifacio Roero and the Rocciamelone Triptych in Susa

In the Middle Ages, Bonifacio Roero, captured by the Turks during the Crusades, entrusted himself to the Holy Mary, promising, if he returned to his homeland, to dedicate a statue to her on the summit of the first mountain he saw upon returning to his native soil. Having arrived in the Susa Valley, assisted by some porters, he reached the highest peak in 1358, Rocciamelone at 3538 m above sea level. bringing with him a probably Flemish bronze triptych, which was then kept in the cathedral in Susa from the 17th century. It is one of the oldest documented ascents in the Alps. Since 2000 the Triptych has been preserved in a special case at the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art of Susa. In memory of this, the still existing refuge called Cà d'Asti was built next to the chapel that once housed the triptych.

Modern period

In the modern period the family retained its citizen power by also expanding into Europe by purchasing fiefdoms, abandoning "compromising" activities, but remaining members of the municipality's "de hospicio" bank and managing to frequent the Savoy court assiduously.

Between 1580 and 1630 Carlo Emanuele I of Savoy of the 204 governors and commanders appointed, 8 were Roero although the family had been pro-French in the past.

Among the most important figures we can remember Francesco Roero di Sciolze, governor of Turin from 1585 to 1590 and from 1593 to 1600. Opicino Roero di Canale, lieutenant (1601) and later commander of the citadel of Turin (1615).

Ercole Tomaso Roero, marquis of Cortanze, after fighting in Flanders, was appointed governor of Cuneo in 1600 and of Nice in 1602; in 1607 he became general veedor and in 1614 general superintendent of the militias.

Ercole Tomaso Roero was Special Piedmontese Ambassador to the Court of Vienna in 1708, and then Ambassador to England from 1719 to 1725. He held the position of Viceroy of Sardinia between 1727 and 1731.

There were also disagreements between some members of the House of Savoy: when in 1614 Carlo Emanuele I declared his hostility towards Spain during the First War of Monferrato, many members of the family were removed from the court or arrested, including Emanuele Filiberto Roero of San Severino.