Science Fair Project Encyclopedia Ranuccio II Farnese, Duke of
Parma Ranuccio Farnese (September 17, 1630 — December 11, 1694),
or Ranuccio II, was the sixth Duke of Parma and Piacenza from
1646 until his death nearly 50 years later. He was the eldest
son of Odoardo Farnese, fifth Duke of Parma, and Margherita de
Medici. His son, Odoardo II Farnese , become the seventh Duke of
Parma upon Ranuccio II's death. Ranuccio II witnessed the
continued decline of the duchy during his rule (a decline which
had started during the rule of his father), losing the Castro
territories in a series of events initiated by his father and
known as the Wars of Castro. In 1649, Pope Innocent X accused
Ranuccio II of murdering Cardinal Cristoforo Giarda, who was on
his way to the city of Castro at the time of his death. In
retaliation, forces loyal to the Pope occupied and razed the
city; it was never rebuilt. -
http://www.comune.piacenza.it/english/history/Ifarnese.htm
(Retrieved January 23, 2005) - http://www.italycyberguide.com/H