House Burlamacchi
The House Burlamacchi with origins traceable to the early 13th century, derives its name from Buglione Burlamacchi. Throughout the medieval period, the family established prominence in the Republic of Lucca, a significant city-state in pre-unification Italy known for its political and commercial influence. As adherents of the Guelph faction, the Burlamacchi supported papal authority in opposition to the Ghibelline faction, which aligned with the Holy Roman Emperor.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the Burlamacchi emerged as one of Lucca’s most influential families, achieving distinction in the trade of fine silk and holding prominent roles in the city’s governance. Their primary residence, a substantial "domus magna" (great house), was located in the parish of S. Alessandro Maggiore, documented as early as the 14th century.[1]
Francesco Burlamacchi
In the 16th century, Francesco Burlamacchi, a political leader and Gonfaloniere (military commander) of the Republic of Lucca, played a pivotal role in the region’s history. In 1549, he spearheaded an initiative to liberate Pisa from Florentine control, specifically targeting the dominance of the Medici family. Francesco envisioned a confederation of Italian states that would promote peace, unity, and independence from foreign powers, including Florence.
This ambitious plan, however, faced significant opposition. Cosimo I de' Medici, the ruler of Florence, and certain citizens of Lucca, wary of potential Florentine reprisals and the implications of a unified Italian state, rejected Francesco’s proposal. Betrayed by his fellow citizens, Francesco was delivered to the tribunals of Emperor Charles V, one of the era’s most powerful monarchs. Following his capture, he was subjected to torture and executed by beheading in 1549, serving as a warning to those challenging Florentine and imperial authority.
Despite the failure of his movement, Francesco Burlamacchi’s legacy endured. Four centuries later, he was recognized as the "first martyr" of Italian unification. In tribute to his contributions, the city of Lucca erected a marble monument in his honor, located in Piazza San Michele in the city center. Francesco remains a symbol of the struggle for liberty and Italian unification.[2]
Migration
Brazil and Portugal
In the 18th century, Ippolito Burlamacchi and his brother Carlo Burlamacchi relocated to Portugal to advance the family’s commercial and political interests. Ippolito married Matilde Valentina Pedegache Brandão, a Portuguese noblewoman, and their union produced a son, Carlos César Burlamaqui. This marriage integrated Italian and Portuguese nobility, giving rise to the Brazilian branch of the Burlamaqui family, from which all Brazilian descendants of the family originate.
The Burlamaqui family settled in the Brazilian state of Piauí, where they continued their tradition of political engagement, securing prominent offices during the 19th century. Carlos César Burlamaqui distinguished himself as a knight of the Order of Christ, colonel, governor of the province of Piauí, and the inaugural governor of Sergipe. His nephew, Polidoro César Burlamaqui, furthered the family’s legacy as a professor, jurist, and politician, serving as governor of both Piauí and Paraná, and holding the titles of officer of the Orders of the Rose and of Christ.[3][4][5][6]
France
Salvatore Burlamacchi, born on November 9, 1602, in Lucca, pursued a career as a banker in Lucca, Amsterdam, and Lyon. He married Marguerite de Lumagne, daughter of banker Jean André Lumague and sister of Marie Lumague. In 1633, Salvatore received letters of naturalization in France. His son, François Burlamacchi, served as a page to Louis XIV and, in 1673, married Marie Picot, daughter of Jacques, lord of Vivier and Motte de Coutevroult, steward of the French king.
A descendant, Jean François Burlamacchi, a captain in the Dauphin regiment, perished in June 1734 during the Battle of Parma. His wife, Claude Gatian, was the daughter of a counselor and master of requests of the Parliament of Paris. Jean François’ sister, Catherine Isidore de Bourlamaque, served as abbess of the Pont-aux-Dames abbey from 1727 until her death in 1752.
From the union of Jean François and Claude Gatian was born François Charles de Bourlamaque, a distinguished French general of the 18th century. His military career progressed from military engineer to assistant captain, infantry colonel, infantry commander, brigadier general, and major general. He was also honored as a commander of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis and served as governor of Guadeloupe.[7]
Notable figures
The Burlamacchi family and its branches, Burlamaqui and Bourlamaque, included distinguished members:
- Eufrasia Burlamacchi – Italian miniaturist;
- Francesco Burlamacchi – A prominent politician, patrician, and Italian noble, recognized as the first martyr in the process of Italian unification;
- Michele Burlamacchi – Italian merchant;
- Renea Burlamacchi – Italian writer;
- Philippe Burlamacchi – Financial intermediary for the King of England Charles I;
- Jean-Jacques Burlamaqui – Jurist, publicist, and writer, author of works that greatly influenced the philosophy of law in Catholic countries in Europe;
- François Charles de Bourlamaque – 18th-century French general with a brilliant military career, starting as a military engineer, becoming assistant captain, infantry colonel, infantry commander, brigadier general, major general, commander of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis, and ultimately governor of Guadeloupe;
- Carlos César Burlamaqui – Knight of the Order of Christ, colonel, governor of the province of Piauí, and first governor of Sergipe;
- Polidoro César Burlamaqui – Brazilian professor, jurist, and politician, governor of Piauí and Paraná, and officer of the Orders of the Rose and of Christ.
Notes
- ↑ "Burlamacchi - Enciclopedia". Treccani (in italiano). Retrieved 2025-02-09.
- ↑ "BURLAMACCHI, Francesco - Enciclopedia". Treccani (in italiano). Retrieved 2025-02-09.
- ↑ Varnhagen (Visconde de Porto Seguro), Francisco Adolfo de (1957). História da independência do Brasil até ao reconhecimento pela antiga metrópole: comreendendo, separadamente, a dos sucessos ocorridos em algumas províncias até essa data [History of Brazil’s Independence Until Recognition by the Former Metropolis: Including, Separately, the Events Occurring in Some Provinces Until That Date] (in português). Edições Melhoramentos. Retrieved 2025-02-09. Search this book on
- ↑ "Polidoro César Burlamaqui" [Polidoro César Burlamaqui]. www.tjpi.jus.br (in português). Archived from the original on 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
- ↑ Cenni, Franco (2003). Italianos no Brasil: "andiamo in 'Merica..." [Italians in Brazil: "Let’s Go to 'Merica..."] (in português) (3rd ed.). São Paulo: EDUSP, Ed. da Univ. de São Paulo. Search this book on
- ↑ "Ascendência pela família Burlamaqui - MARCOS FILGUEIRA" [Ancestry through the Burlamaqui Family - MARCOS FILGUEIRA]. marcosfilgueira.wikidot.com (in português). Retrieved 2025-02-09.
- ↑ "BOURLAMAQUE, FRANÇOIS-CHARLES DE". Dictionnaire biographique du Canada (in français). Retrieved 2025-02-09.
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