The Monarca family branch in Sessa
The 18th century
In 1696 the Monarca family was recorded in the “Sedile di San Matteo”, the most important of the city, as noble.
Francesco Granata, Bishop of Sessa, underlined in 1766 that the noble families had declined in number over time, and that only 21 remained, Monarca included. Likewise the “Sedili” — the seats or places where the noble families gathered periodically — had been reduced: of the original four, only one was left, that of San Matteo.
The family's belonging to the noble class is beyond question. As just one example, see the Royal Dispatch of 26 July 1781 stating that “King Ferdinand IV of Naples grants Gaetano Monarca of Sessa, cadet of the Royal Italian Regiment, the transfer to the Royal Regiment of Puglia, enjoying seniority from 16 July 1775, when he began to serve in the Royal Regiment, the cadet having presented documents proving the registration of his family as ‘Nobiltà Generosa’ (1st class) since 1535” (cf. National State Archives, Naples, Royal Dispatches, Vol. V, 1781-82).
Many Monarca held the office of mayor of Sessa during the century, confirming the prestige they enjoyed. In January 1799, with the rise of the Neapolitan Republic, we find Gaetano Monarca among the representatives of the Sessa municipality, and Vincenzo and Marcello Monarca among the officers of the local Civic Guard.
The 19th century
The upheavals following the collapse of the Neapolitan Republic in May 1799 and the restoration of Bourbon rule may have had an impact on the family, which nevertheless saw one of its members (Gaetano) as mayor of the city in 1818-1819.
As was often the case, the cadets of noble families followed a military career. This was so for Gaetano (nephew of the former), who became head (“brigadier”) of the Gendarmerie of Roccasecca (Frosinone), giving rise to the Frosinone branch, or like his brother Ferdinando, who left Sessa to go to Pizzo in Calabria as an officer of the Guardia di Finanza, and who gave rise to the Tropea branch.
Other Monarca remained in Sessa. In the years 1889-90 Sessa too had its political-administrative periodical, called “L'Ago”, and a Monarca (Federico) was its Managing Editor.
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