Rafael I of Barcelona

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Rafael I "the Rebel" (born as Rafael Casanova i Comes) was the Head CouncillorConseller en Cap of Barcelona between 1703 and 1709, king of Spain from 1709 to 1714, and king of the Mediterranean Crown from 1714 onwards. As the first member of the Casanonva dynasty, he is widely considered to be the founder of the Crown, and thanks to his non-noble origins he is a role model for young people across the Mediterranean.

Life and work

Casanova was one of eleven children of Rafael Casanova i Solà and Maria Comes i Sors, wealthy landowners from Moià. His family had a long history of involvement with politics, so, as he wasn't the heir of the family, he moved to Barcelona to become a lawyer. With only 18 years old, he was already a Doctor of Law, and in 1696, after a solid career, he married Maria Comes, the daughter of another wealthy family from the city. They had four sons, only one of which reached adult age and would become his successor as Rafael II.

The War of Succession: from lawyer to king

When the War of Spanish Succession started, Rafael, with the support of the Council of a Hundred, staged a coup against the Catalan Courts, which were in chaos and lacking the coordination needed for war. He briefly offered the Courts the possibility to lead Catalonia during the war, hoping that the coup would simply be a wake-up call for the government. However, the Courts began a long deliberation in response and, in an unprecedented move, the city councillors dissolved the government of the Principality. They then proceeded to crown Rafael, their Head Councillor, as Rafael I, Count of Barcelona and King of Spain.
The other territories of the old Crown of Aragon, as well as the Spanish resistance, who had been looking to Barcelona for guidance, rallied under this new banner and ultimately managed to keep half of the Iberian Peninsula. The War formally ended in September 11th, 1714, with the Treaty of Aran between Spain and France.

Treaty of Aran and founding of the Crown

The Treaty of Aran gave to France all of the Spanish territories in northern Europe, overseas, as well as roughly the western half of the Iberian Peninsula, to the Kingdom of France. In return, France would recognize the new Count of Barcelona as the legitimate ruler of the rest of the Iberian territories. They would also recognize the authority of the Consulate of the Sea (mostly controlled by Barcelona) as the supreme authority over international maritime law and allow the Mediterranean Crown to trade with the American continent.
After the Treaty was signed, Rafael I summoned in Barcelona his first General Courts, with representatives from all the remaining Spanish territories. After long deliberation, Rafael I individually swore his fealty to the local governments, and the local governments did the same, this beginning the tradition of the Mutual Oath. It wasn't until then that the Council of a Hundred finally released control over Catalonia and became a city council again.
He spent the rest of his reign stabilizing the country, formalizing local governments that weren't used to his non-absolutist style, and opening trade and diplomatic relationships with the rest of Europe as a new country.

Titles and honors

During the war, Rafael I only held the titles of Head Councillor (until 1714) and Count of Barcelona, as well as King of Spain. However, as the Mediterranean Crown was constituted as a composite monarchy, the title of "King of the Mediterranean Crown" is simply a short form for his actual titles, which were: Count of Barcelona, King of Aragon, King of Valencia, King of Majorca, King of Murcia, King of Granada, King of Castile, King of Naples, and Count of Provence.
His full titles were only used for international relations. When dealing with the constituent countries, only the title related to that country had to be used. However, due to his personal connection to the city of Barcelona, he always asked Count of Barcelona to be attached to his name regardless of context.
His nickname as the Rebel is in reference to the fact that he technically got to power illegally and using force. Even though his dynasty still reigns, he is ironically seen as a role model for some rebellious and anti-monarchic movements.

contents

Date of Birth

ca. 1660

Date of Death

2nd of May of 1743

Birthplace

Moià

Place of Death

Barcelona

Aligned Organization

Mediterranean Crown

Related Historical Events

• 1715
  El Consell de Cent recupera l'autonomia
• 18 de novembre de 1714
  Rafael I d'Espanya és coronat monarca de la Corona Mediterrània.
• 1709
  Coronació de Rafael I com a rei d'Espanya
• 1704
  Presa del General