House of Candia

The House of Candia also called "Candida" in Latin is a European dynastic house, originally from "Castrum Candiaco" in the Dauphiné of the nobility of Savoy and Piemont, descendants of Burgandians and Lombards and related to the Norman dynasty from the seat at the Baronnie de Candé and latter through their union to the Hautville of Ventimiglia or Altavilla, that traditionally had domains in Piemont and the Kingdoms of Italy. The first family unions and lands registry were recorded by the Provesto of Ivrea in regard to the fiefdoms of Candia Canavese and Candia Lomellina, and then by the Prince-Bishops of Geneva and their fort-castle at Chambéry-Le-Vieux under the name "Chateau de Candie", there are also registries of properties and family unions in the Piedmont recorded by the Podesta of Ivrea of their fiefdom and castle in Candia Canavese and Lomellina under the name of Castrum Kandian or Castello di Candia today known as "Castelfiorito" de Candia Canavese. They were, and continues to be considered, vassals of the head House of Savoy.

[
STEMMA CANDIÆ Old Arms of Candia from the Savoyard Heraldry Registry,Château de Candie,
Chambéry-Le-Vieux, France]

Origin

Reference, Dossier: Aïeux de la ligné de Candé et du Lion d'angers, N° notice: IA49002301(c) Inventaire général, 2001, Commune de Candé, France

The name comes from Scandia in Frankish-Latin or the Medieval Latin term "Candiaco" as originally written in most historical documents, latter it was fashioned in various regional languages: in Loire called "Candé" first registered in the Castrum Baronum under "Castrum Candiaco" in the Dauphiné old French, in Savoy and L'Isle Canton Vaud "Candie" and also "Chandieu", in Provençal and Piemontese "Candia" as in Candia Canavese, and finally in Latin "Candida". The name from the Lombard language perhaps was compared to the Scandinavian term "Scandia" but in fact is taken from the Latin term "Candetum Castrum" in reference to the fief of Hagan Candiaco (Payen de Candé = Paganus Candiaco, cf. the latinization in the Gesta Danorum); other sources indicated the meaning of the name originated from the Latin term "castrum candiaco" or "agro candiacensi" which means clear or shining place, probably the location where the first castle of Candia was built.

1) The de Candé du Lion d'Angers line, or first house:
Payen de Candé was the first Lord of the Anjou-Chateaubriant to hold this name, from his fiefdom and old castle of Cande, he was married to Mahaut de Lion d'Angers. Their daughter was Mahaut de Candé (Aïeux de la ligné de Candé et du Lion d'angers) married to Foulques le Normand de Petit-Montrevault (Aïeux de la ligné de Montrevault, Doué et Saumur); their son was Geoffroy Rorgon de Candé, seigneur de Candé et du Lion-d'Angers, Lord of Castle and Barony of Candé. Geodfrey crossed France and enter Italy following count Hugues de Vermandois and Robert Duke of Normandy to Bari, on their way to liberate Jerusalem. Geodfrey Rorgon (de Candé et du Lion d'angers) died in Palestine around 1100. His sons received the old Castle-Fort of Candé and the fiefdoms in Savoy-Piedmont, and his younger brother the fiefdom of Montreuil in Anjou; the descendents fashioned the name in the Gallo-Roman style de Candiæ (Ref: Histoire de la baronnie de Candé, Maine et Loire, par Odile Halbert)

2) The de Candiæ Savoyard line, or second house:The house was issued by Roger de Candiæ son of Odo son of Crispin of the House of Crepon, in 1050 in the Principality of Geneva. Latter his lineage under count Roger de Candie of Chambery married Isabelle de Croan-Nevers of the House of l’Entre-deux-Mers; marriage registered in Chambery in 1212 by the Prince-Bishops of Geneva. They holded fiefdoms in Savoy and Piemont under the title of "de Candie Vice-Counts of Geneva" of the Principality of Geneva. This family originated from the evolution of the Holy Roman Empire, from a junior branch of the House of Crêpon. Later their descendant's union by marriage to the Hauteville family gave then access to Ventimiglia, in Italian: Ventimiglia(famiglia), and eventually to the Mezzogiorno. Later one of their branches became known as an Italian lineage, called Saint-Severin or de Candida Filangieri Sanseverino.

The "House of Candia" ( _it. "Casa Candia or Candida" , French: "Maison de Candie", "Maison de Chandie" and "Old Maison de Candé") is a dynasty of Western Europe that became part of the "Sapaudia Novilitas", the nobility of the Kingdom of Savoy latter parts of Italy, France and Switzerland. The house began its legacy during the Crusades as Knights Templar and has links to the Swiss Guards and the Benedictine monks. They recorded history by their dealings as Viscounts of Geneva the official Latin term "vicedominus Genevarum"," a feudal title in old France and Switzerland. They ruled the Vidame or "Vidominus" of the Prince-Bishops of Geneva. Originally de Candie was created from the union of a junior branch of the House of Crêpon of Denmark at Normandie and the House of Croan-Nevers, that in the 10th cent settled in the Alps region of the Kingdom of Lotharingia (German: Lotharingien. Subsequently, they relocated their seat to the Kingdom of Burgundy on Lake Geneva and part of the Alps region latter the Duchy of Savoy (today’s parts of French Savoy, the Italian Piedmont and the Swiss Lake of Geneva region).Though originally a simple noble family, the Candie later heirs to a large account of feudal possessions and titles across Europe always supported by their strong links to the Holy See. Along the crusades and thereafter through conquest, marriage, and diplomacy this house successors expanded their holdings in France, Switzerland, and Italy; including lordships in Chambéry-LeVieux, Arneis-Langhe, Candia Canavese, Candida, Bugey, Apulia, Sardinia, Nice, and Spain.

Historical Records

François de Candia, Lord of Derruyere in Savoy, became Viscount of Geneva. He was from the line of the De Candia of Bresse whom came from "Borgo San Dalmazzo" (a place near Ventimiglia also called "Dalmatie" in French).

Frank of Candie (French= François de Candie, Italian= Franco de Candia), 1er Viscount of Geneva, c. 1314 - 26 Dec, 1360). This territory today belongs to the Diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg. François was a Swiss-Savoyard noble, who married the second daughter of the prince of Geneva. Along his service for the Prince-Bishop of Geneva he was the commander in Chief of the troops that controlled the Alps passages and the legal doings of the Vidominus. In 1377 François de Candie was Captain of the Castle of the Rodan (French= capitaine du château de l'Ile sur le Rhône). He was educated by the clergy at the Monastery of Sion (German Sitten) of the Catholic Swiss Knights. According to academic registries, François was a skilled diplomat and strategist. He mastered Latin, French, Italian, German and Greek.He represented the interests of Geneva in the main courts of Europe; this created great tension to the family from the most powerful houses of Europe. In 1453 from their seat as Vidames and Chief of the Catholic Swiss Knights, they protected the secrecy and guarded the Holy Shroud (Shroud of Turin) in position of the Duke of Savoy at their seat in the Castle of Chambery. Since 1578 the Holy Shroud was moved to Turin, where it has remained until today. The title of Viscount of Geneva is a hereditary title regulated by Salic Law, as such the family enjoyed its ruling until the Swiss Referéndum or Protestant Reformation. Today the title is gentility to the family. This branch had many descendents and expanded into Italy and France:

This is a list of selected titles held by the family: (A more extensive list can be reviewed at the Library of the Dukes of Candia.)

*Candie (de) Marquis of Candia (XVII), Signior d'Arneis del Roero (En:Lord of Arnes, Fr:d’Arnès)
*Candie (de) Baron of Lüneburg,(French= Loese, English= Lunenberg or Lueneburg), in Saxony)
*Candie (de) Lord of Bresse (JM7595)
*Candie (de) Viscount of Genèva, Lord of Loese, in Savoy
*Candie (de) Lordship of Chateau de Candie, of Chaffardon, Valley of the Cly
*Candia (de) Marquis of Saint-Simon, Castle of Candia-Le-Vieux or the Saint-Simon in Languedoc today Domain of Candia
*Candia (de) Royal Governor General of Nice, under the Savoy's Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont

The Turin shroud or called "La Sindone di Torino" can be clearly traced back to the Lirey in the Diocese of Troyes, where we first hear of it about the year 1360. In 1453 it was at Chambéry in Savoy, and there in 1532 it narrowly escaped being consumed by a fire which by charring the corners of the folds has left a uniform series of marks on either side of the image. Since 1578 it has remained at Turin where it is now only exposed for veneration at long intervals. ("de Sancta Sindone" was formerly approved by Julius II in the Bull "Romanus Pontifex" of 25 April, 1506, in the course of which the Pope speaks of "that most famous Shroud præclarissima sindone)

Southern Italy

In 1050 the Candia has it first incursion in Southern Italy with Angerio de Candie, a crusader knight, under the command of Roger of Hauteville, later became Roger I of Sicily. Angerio’s remains are resting at the Benedictine Chapel of the S.S. Trinita di Cava de'Tirreni, under the description of Norman knight, son of Roger of Candie count of Arnes (Italian Ruggero de Candia) of the lineage of Rollon 1st Duke of Normandy. From this incursion and marriage they obtain the fiefdom of Candida since 1187 (Italian Terra Candida) and was kept for generations latter; registered under count Alduym de Candie called in Italian Alduino de Candida of Avellino Curia Regis Lord of Candida Master of the Royal Court (Italian Maestro della Regia Corte) and Lord Judge of Bari who married in 1250 countess Giordana de Tricarico Sanseverino lady of Solofra, until 1420 Candida belonged to the de Candia when Catherine Filangie de Candie (Italian= Caterina Filangieri de Candia) gave Candida as a dowry to Sergianni Caracciolo. This marriage entered the fiefdoms into the Caracciolo Dynasty, as recorded in the Abby of Cava di Terreni, Jean Caracciol Napolitein or Gianni Caracciolo di Napoli Duke of Melphes and Venossa (+ 18/08/1432), married Catherine Filangieri de Candia Countess of Avellino. They had 2 descendents: Jérôme (murdered in 1426) and Troy or Trojan I Duke of Melfi (French= duc de Melphes).This lineage was also related to the Gonzaga o Gonzague family of Matua under the denomination of Candida-Gonzaga or Candie-Gonzague, and the Prince of San Severo in Apulia.

"CATALOGUS BARONUM"

The first registry of the Castle of Candia is compiled before 1100. The "Catalagus" "Baronum", Catalogue of Baronies, written from 1150 to 1168 of the lordships and fiefdoms of the Kingdom is signed by Roger II of Sicily (Italian= Ruggero II di Sicilia), it is recorded the lordships of Candia o Candida, Lapio, and Arianiello as properties of count Alduino de Candia son of Ruggero son of Oldoino Odo de Candia son of Crispin of the (Latin= "genti Lortomanne, ovvero Normanne") Normans of the Lotherian people.

Latin= "Candium est feudum ij militum, Lapigia et arcanellum feudum ij militum… hoc tenet Guidus et Rogerius frater eius qui emerunt illud a Curia… Rogerius emit Candidam, et non emerunt nisi solum quod Alduynus de Candida tenebat in Demanio".

In the second part of the Catalogue "Baronum" is written: Latin= "Candida est feudum ij militum, Lapigia et arcanellum feudum ij militum… hoc tenet Guidus et Rogerius frater eius qui emerunt illud a Curia… Rogerius emit Candidam, et non emerunt nisi solum quod Alduynus de Candida tenebat in Demanio". Candium (Candida o Candia) is a lordship of 2 fiefdoms, Lapio and Arianiello is also a lordship of 2 fiefdoms ... assets of Guido and Ruggiero, his brother, whom acquired it from the Curia... Ruggiero purchased Candida, and only what Alduino de Candida considered a dominium..

----
Piedmont

1164 Candia had registered a fiefdom under the mane of Candium with diploma of Frederick I during the domain of Pavia. The Podesta of Ivrea in 1205 issued nobility and lordship of the Castrum Candia to the brothers Guglielmo, Giacomo, and Enrico in what is today the territory of Candia Canavese. In 1241 we found the name in the registry of the fiefdom of Candia Lomellina under count Henry of Candia (Italian = Enrico de Candia, in local dialect " Chendiâ " or Kent-ia), he rebuild the original castle badly damage by the attacks of the Marquis of Montferrat, the Visconti, and various local enemies; in addition Henry built a Chapel. Enrico de Candia holdings included the Castle of Candia Canavese and lordships of "Candium Laumellorum", Villata and Roncone ; cartographic charters and registries of Agro dei Levi. In 1603 the registry was under count Gianangelo de Candia. These territories were hereditary controlled by the family until 1707 when the Candia Lomellina passed to the ruling of the Duke of Savoy; by then the Candia Laumellorum lineage became a Chatelaine family of the House of Savoy as they were in Chambery.

Henry, Count of Malta was a Genoese Lord of Candia (at birth count Enrico de Candia in Candia Canavese, Piedmont), adventurer, privateer and pirate active in the Mediterranean at the beginning of the thirteenth century. He was known as Enrico Pescatore (Pescatore, 'fisherman' in Italian, being a nickname), or Pistore of the House of Candia. Took part in the occupation of Crete and obtained a little fiefdom were is today the Venetian fort-castle that gave the name to the island during medieval times.

Contemporary History

Sardinia

In 1710 the family settle seat in the fiefdom of Torre del Greco and latter in the cities of Alghero and Callegari. The family became involved with maritime affaires of the island and the obtained water fiefdoms (Italian = Direto di mare) and conducted a school ship that collected coral a very valuable commodity while patrolled the waters entering Sardinia. In 1734 we founded the marriage registry of count Serafin of Candia and countess Therese of Saint–Simon, in 1779 Serafino de Candia obtained royal privilege and diploma of the use of Lord and Lady for himself and wife as well as all the de Candia lineage under royal seal and decrete signed by King Victor Amadeus II (Italian= Vittorio Amadeo II) of Sardinia, Chypre and Jerusalem. They were registered as nobles part of the Savoy's Court of Turin, this recognition passed later into the Kingdom of Italy. Its descendences are registered in the Golden Book of the Italian and French Nobility.From this House we have the famous "Tenor Giuseppe Mario" (real name= the Marquis de Candia, Cavaliere Giovanni Matteo de Candia), " Mario " was considered the most famous tenor of the 19th century. He married the extraordinary opera singer Giulia Grisi. They traveled all over Europe and kept houses in Paris and Sardinia. They have 5 daughters and (perhaps) a son. Their daughter countess Cecilia Maria de Candia-Pearse became a well known biographical writer, she married Lord Pearse and moved to United Kingdom.

After the II World War the family was dispersed, today they are living in parts of Switzerland, Italy, France, the UK, Canada, the USA, and Argentina.

Legacy

The Candiæ were diplomatically skilled, and gained control over strategic passes in the Swiss-French Alps and in Southern Italy. This advancement in their feudal affaires caused the great powers of Europe; such as France, England, and Spain to take into account the negotiations of the Candia head of family. They contributed a great deal in the expansion of European culture and the Catholic faith in Europe, Jerusalem and along the conquest of the Americas. Their legacy a collection of documents and information, such as the cartographic work of count Carlo de Candia or the poems of Gauvain de Candie, this legacy is kept in the Library of the Dukes of Candia.
* Gauvain de Candie, count of Berruyre, novelist and poet, in 1475 at age 28 he composed the famous "Chason" recited poems to the ducal couple of Marguerite of Austria and Philibert II, Duke of Savoy.

The monarchy ended with the 1946 referendum by which Italians chose the republic as the form of state (see also birth of the Italian Republic). Under the Constitution of the Italian Republic, all Italian titles were frozen until today. The de Candia family today enjoy the memory and legacy of their ancestry.

ummary

The House of Candiæ ( Italian= Casa Candia, French= Maison de Candie) is a dynasty of nobles who traced their lineage to the 'Castrum Candia' (Castello di Candia in Candia Canavese, Italy) and their fiefdom of the Castle of Candie (Château de Candie situé a Chambèry-le-Vieux) built by a Burgundes count who named his feudal state in honour of Skaend or Scandia (Scandinavian Goddess and mother of Europa) other sources mentioned the relation to Candidus a previous member of the family, they traditionally had their domain near Chambéry in the Duchy of Savoy, today part of France, and the Kingdom of Sardinia, a state which, in 1860, became the Kingdom of Italy under the Savoia or Savoy family, the Italian reigning house until 1946. They once had the lordship of the Vice-Count of Geneva, vidame de Genève, in Switzerland, but their access to it was cut by the Swiss during the Protestant Reformation, after which it was conquered by Bern. Though originally a simple noble family, later heirs to a large account of feudal possessions and titles. They were diplomatically skilled, and gained control over strategic passes in the Swiss-French Alps and in Southern Italy. This caused the great powers such as France, England, and Spain to take the head of the family opinions into account. They contributed a great deal in the expansion of European culture and the Roman Catholic faith and in Europe, Jerusalem and along the conquest of the Americas.

The monarchy ended with the 1946 referendum by which Italians chose the republic as the form of state (see also birth of the Italian Republic). Under the Constitution of the Italian Republic, some male descendants of the House of Candie or “Casa Candia” were forbidden from entering Italy, for their association with the reigning House of Savoy. This provision was removed in 2002.

References

* "Archivio degli Amici del Castelfiorito" - www.castelfiorito.com
*"Reference of Candia" - DE CANDIE / DE CANDIA, Document prepared by the bureau of the "count Ludovico de Candia", "Source: Annuaire de la noblesse de France 1861
*Gallica : [http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k365890/f392.itemà]
*LA SOCIETE SAVOISIENNE D'HISTOIRE ET D'ARCHEOLOGIE [http://perso.orange.fr/agfca/tables_chronologiques_de_1.htm]
*"Ref: Chev. épée JO Two Old French Romances: Le Chevalier a l'épée and; Le Roman de Foulque de Candie p. Herbert le duc de Dammartin
*"Ref: The Gesta Normannorum Ducum of William of Jumièges, Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni edited and translated by Elisabeth M. C. Van Houts. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1995."
*Ref: History of the Barony of Candé and the first lord of Candia in French (Histoire de la baronnie de Candé, Maine et Loire), by Odile Halbert
*Dossier : Aïeux de la ligné de Candé et du Lion d'angers, N° notice: IA49002301(c) Inventaire général, 2001, Commune de Candé, France
*"Ref: La Société académique de Savoie a publié à Chambéry des Mémoires sur la carrière politique et militaire de Savoie, 1828.
*Armorial De Candiae, Savoie [http://perso.orange.fr/gdubois/Blasons/Savoie/Candie_de.png]
*Heraldique de France - Maison de Candie [http://www.francegenweb.org/~heraldique/base/details.php?image_id=8834]
*Dynastic House of Candia, Annuairy of the French Nobility 1861 [http://gillesdubois.blogspot.com/2006/12/nobiliaire-de-savoie-c.html]
*Francois de Candie, 1st Vice-Count of Geneva [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_de_Candie]
*Fiefdom of Candia Laumellorum [http://www.comune.candialomellina.pv.it/enter/storia.php]
*Candida [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candida,_Italy]
*Castello di Candia - Archivio degli Amici del Castelfiorito [http://www.castelfiorito.com]
*Candia Lomellina
*Chateau de Candie [http://www.chateaudecandie.com/]
*De Candia [http://www.decandia.esiti.net/]
*Sanseverino capodespite dei de Candia o Candida [http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanseverino_%28famiglia%29]
*Casa Ventimiglia - see Wikipedia in Italian as: Ventimiglia (famiglia)