I am able to trace back to my 17th great grandfather, Pedro Sanchez de Luna. Original rider of Saragozza belonging to the class of the “ricohombres”, Alcaide di Tierga in 1357. Not your typical Italian family name I know, but when Spain ruled much of southern Italy and Sicily, this family, from the Aragona’s married into many of the noble Italian families, such as Piscicelli, Carafa, Caracciolo and many other’s. Teresa Sanchez de Luna married Prince Ambrogio II Caracciolo di Torchiarolo and are my 4th great grandparents.
Link to Nobili Napoletani — Sances de Luna
Link to Libro di Oro — Sanchez de Luna
The family Sanchez (italianizzata in Sances) was one of the most powerful and richest in the reign of Aragona so much to possess a really little but hardened army; numbered between the Big ones of Spain, perhaps also with real descent. Thanks to their military and financial support, the ispanici managed to throw the Moors out of the peninsula.
The progenitor of the Neapolitan branch was Don Alonso Sanches, royal General Treasurer (Office comparable with the Great Camerlingo) of the Reign of Naples, ambassador I press the Serene Highness one of Venice, marry descendant of Don Pedro Sanchez of Donna Francesca de Moon. Since then the signs of the Sances were coupled to those de Moon.
In 1382 Don Giovanni Sanchez was appointed a Great Admiral.
Don Giovanni Luigi, in order that there had served faithfully in war king Ferdinando (I dictate Shoeing) That of Naples, in 1467 had the feuds of Vico Equense and Mass Lubrense.
Don Luigi, cousin of the progenitor Don Alonso Sanchez de Moon, was hurt in the war against the French ones and, for the brave behaviour, there was named by king Ferdinando the Catholic Treasurer Ganerale del Regno of Naples.The Family was admitted to the Neapolitan Patriciate of the Chair of Mountain and, after the abolition of the Seats (1800, it was enrolled in the Book from Neapolitan Gold.
In the prosperous lands of Puglia, the French ones were acting cruelly imposing the customs of the sheep, to satisfy the alimentary needs with their army. The Spaniards with the best riders of the Reign of Naples hindered such an abuse of power; thank you also to the boldness of FRANCESCO SANCES, Rider of the Suit of S. Giacomo.
He, with a bundle of able combatants, gave a humiliating defeat to the French ones camped in the city of Cerignola, managing to bring to Barletta further cinquemila heads of cattle.
The French captains, when badly they were supporting the hard given war lesson, started offending the Italians. The challenge followed from Barletta between 13 French ones and 13 Italians of the Catholic army; Francesco Sances, together with the companions of weapon I Indicate (Sicilian) de Mendoza, Ettore Fieramosca (noble of Capua), Ludovico Abenevole (noble of Aversa), Mariano Abigniente (Sarno), Mark Corollario (Naples), Ettore de Pazzis (Foggia), he participated in the combat and was the first rider to obtain the victory against the own adversary.
It returned the soul to God in 1504 and was buried in the church of Santa Mary la Nova to Naples.
Learn more about the Italian Nobility in my book "Farmers and Nobles"
Alfonso II my 12th Great Grandfather
Died (4-3-1564 buried in the church of the Announced Naples, diplomat to the service of Joanna d’ Aragona
Widowed queen of Naples, 8-11-1513; after 1518 it entered to
service of the Emperor Carlo V: it representative in Savoy, then to Venice 1521/1528, General Treasurer of the Reign of
Naples 1525 (with faculty of passing the office on to the heirs)Privilege of 19-8-1524, on the entrances of
Barletta and the Handful land, Land of Work and of the Earldom of the Moliso 6-5-1532, and
He bought the Grottole feud; ambassador of the Cardinal Pompeo
Column close to the Emperor Carlo V in 1531, Advisor of the Sacred Royal Council 1555.
= (dowry of 100.000 shields) Brianna, only daughter of Simone Ruiz, General Treasurer of the Reign of Naples, and of White one
of Cardona (1542).
Alonso III my 11th Great Grandfather
Died (16-11-1607), Barone di Grottole of 1564, 1st Marquis of Grottole 16-3-1574, broad money to
Neapolitan patriciate (with the whole family) for the Chair of Mountain 30-3-1570; General Treasurer of
Reign of Naples 1546 for renunciation of the father (confirmed in 1555, office given way to the Caracciolo in 1564
with Royal Assent for the sum of 30.000 ), Advisor with 19-12-1566 and later on Dean of the Sacred one
Royal Council of the Reign of Naples, member of the Court of the Elected ones 1569.
= Caterina, daughter of Giovanni Martinez de Moon Gentleman of Porroy, Rider of the Order of San Jago,
Commendatory of Montalban and Lord of a castle of Milan, and of Isabella de Cardona – it purchases the land of
Holy Arpino for 13.500 Giovanni Giacomo Carafa’s dukedoms in 1569.
Giovanni my 10th Great Grandfather
Died (9-1612), Baron of Holy Arpino 1607 and Patrizio Napoletano; Doctor in laws, Judge
of the Great court Vicaria, Advisor of the Council of Santa Chiara in 1591, President of the Royal Sacred one
Council of the Reign of Naples, Royal Advisor of the King of Spain in 1612. The descendants led also
the surname Sanchez de Luna d’ Aragona.
= 11-11-1581 Girolama, daughter of Giovanni Luigi Piscicelli, Patrizio Napoletano, and of Lucrezia di Tocco
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