The House of Balestrièri is an Italian noble family originating from Venice in the Early Middle Ages, with major branches extending over time to Ancona, Parma, Brescia, Florence, Siena, Naples, and Sicily. The House entered into alliances and/or marriages with the Strozzi, Gherardini, Piccolomini, and Alberti Families.
History.
The Italian word, "balestrièri" etymologically is derived from the Latin noun "balistrarii", the genitive of the Latin "balistrarius" signifying "of the crossbowman".
With their origins in Venice, specifically Malamocco, the most ancient Balestrièri are recorded as having served as tribunes ("Tribuni maiori") in the 8th century. Last recorded at the Serrata del Maggior Consiglio held in 1297, the Venetian branch is said to have become extinct in 1301 with the death of Ser Rinaldo.
The branch of the Balestrièri of Florence ("de' Balestrieri"), according to Roberto Ciabani, the Italian historian and author of "Le Famiglie di Firenze" (Firenze: Bonechi, 1992), achieved fame through military service, earning the "Capo d'Angio", the heraldic "Chief of Anjou" in recognition for long-standing service to the Guelph cause and papacy. It subsequently obtained a monopoly over the Florentine production and sale of crossbows.
In the 12th century, the crossbow became so feared by armored knights that the Second Ecumenical Council of the Lateran (AD 1139) restricted its use in warfare, with Pope Gregory IX promulgating this restriction in his Decretals (c. un., X, V, 15):
"Canon 29. We moreover, for the rest, prohibit under anathema that the art of the crossbowmen and archers, deadly and hateful to God, be exercised against Christians and Catholics." (Latin: "Artem autem illam mortiferam et Deo odibilem ballistariorum et sagittariorum adversus christianos et catholicos exerceri de cetero sub anathemate prohibemus."). Since the anathema (automatic or "latae sententiae" excommunication) of the Second Lateran Council applied only to the crossbow being used against "Christians and Catholics", the crossbow became the weapon of choice against Muslims in the Holy Land, other pagans in Europe, heretics, and Ottomans in defense of Christendom's Mediterranean coastline.
Family tombs are listed within the Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence and Sant'Ambrogio, Florence. In ancient times the family resided on the "Via de' Balestrièri" (since 1382 known as "Via del Proconsolo") connecting the Piazza del Duomo to the Arno River.
The eldest branch of the House is today headed by Count Federico Balestrièri of Brescia. All male descendants of the Parmese branch bear the title of "Count". The House is duly registered with the "Consulta Araldica" and is listed in the "Libro d'Oro della Nobilta Italiana."
Notable members.
Some notable members of the family include:
References.
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 Surname listThis page lists people with the surname . 