Messina revolt

Quick Facts: Who was Messina revolt?

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Messina revolt

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A prolonged 1672–78 uprising in Messina challenging patrician and Spanish authority.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Messina revolt of 1672–78 began with a revolt against the patrician government of Messina on the island of Sicily by skilled workers in 1672. When the patricians regained control in 1674 they turned the movement into a revolt against Spanish rule. They obtained support from the French, and Messina was independent until the end of the Franco-Dutch War of 1672–78, when the Spanish regained control. The city of Messina had a population of 120,000 in the mid-17th century, with the city council dominated by a few patrician families. The Spanish government granted Messina a monopoly on the export of silk in 1663, but after loud protests from other ports of Sicily withdrew it the next year.

Career & Major Achievements

There were no immediate disturbances, but the nobility and upper bourgeoisie of the city became hostile to the Spanish. The Spanish captain-general Luis de Hojo conceived the plan of turning the common people against the upper classes through a display of charity and devotion, and through engineering an artificial shortage for which the senate of the city would be blamed. The artisan workers threw out the patricians in 1672, but did not dispute Spanish rule. The Prince de Ligne, Viceroy of Sicily, was alarmed by the disturbances, and had Hojo removed. When the disturbances continued and there was talk of using force against the rebels, Ligne also resigned.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On 7 July 1674 the trades companies united with the patricians in a revolt against the Spanish, and besieged Captain-General Crispano in his palace. They drove out the Spanish garrison and gained control of almost all of the city. Four of the five forts were taken. Messina sent deputies to the French ambassador in Rome and to Admiral Louis Victor de Rochechouart de Mortemart, Compte de Vivonne, on the coast of Catalonia. On 27 September 1674 Vivonne sent Jean-Baptiste de Valbelle to help the rebels with a convoy of supply vessels guarded by a squadron of seven warships and three fire ships.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1663: 1663 Milestone — The Spanish government granted Messina a monopoly on the export of silk in 1663, but after loud protests from other ports of Sicily withdrew it the next year.
2. 1672: 1672 Milestone — The Messina revolt of 1672–78 began with a revolt against the patrician government of Messina on the island of Sicily by skilled workers in 1672.
3. 1674: 1674 Milestone — When the patricians regained control in 1674 they turned the movement into a revolt against Spanish rule.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Messina revolt

True or False: “The initial revolt of the skilled workers in 1672 immediately aimed to overthrow the Spanish Crown's rule.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Initially, the artisan workers threw out the patricians but did not dispute Spanish rule; their early focus was internal class conflict.

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