Talk:Olimpia Maidalchini

It would be most correct to list her name as Olimpia Maidalchini Pamphilj in the title entry area since she lived most of her life as a member of the Pamphilj family and is best-known today in scholarly circles as a leader of that family. Kanani Pukalani (talk) 23:09, 17 November 2015 (UTC)

Princess of San Martino
An unregistered user made the point that Olimpia Maidalchini was named Princess of San Martino by Pope Innocent X. Though I am not disputing the fact (even though it was not sourced it is likely factually accurate given the historical context), I question whether this "title" should be given prominence as per the original edit.

It was not uncommon for Pope's of the period to appoint supporters, especially relatives, as leaders of various principalities. As an example, please see Taddeo Barberini with special attention to the fact that he was anointed Prince of Palestrina. Like Palestrina, San Martino is a small self-contained, self-styled principality (in this case actually one large set of buildings).

These were generally controlled by large families and during the period in question it was not uncommon for these smaller principalities to go to "war" with neighbouring principalities. As such, it was not uncommon for family patriarchs or matriarchs to be titled Prince of X.

I will make an edit further into the article but am more than happy to discuss the matter further.

Stalwart111 (talk) 23:26, 22 June 2010 (UTC)


 * The San Martino in question wasn't an enclave of the Papal States; it's just outside Viterbo. And Taddeo Barberini wasn't 'anointed' Prince of Palestrina--that title was purchased from the Colonna in 1630.


 * Furthermore, that DYK is completely erroneous. Cardinal Chigi, the Secretary of State and the future Pope Alexander VII, was in Innocent X's bed-chamber at the time of his death, having expelled Olimpia to the antechamber. The moment his remains were removed by the master of ceremonies for washing and oiling, Olimpia took possession of the gold she had convinced Innocent, delirious from illness, to hide under his bed. Then, she galloped back to the Palazzo Pamphili and barricaded herself in it. Thus, she couldn't have left his remains rotting in a corner if she wasn't even present at his death, nor could she have gone on a three-day looting spree--Cardinal Chigi himself reports that, by the final week of Innocent's illness, there was little left to steal: 'The Palace was so empty that there wasn't even a bowl or spoon to give the pope a bit of soup...and there was only one candlestick of brass, which soon disappeared...He [the Pope] had only the shirt on his back, all the other ones were gone.' See: Herman, Eleanor: pp. 362 - 364. -- 109.78.37.244 (talk) 06:43, 29 June 2010 (UTC)


 * Interesting. Will have to change some of the older links to the other San Martino. I'm not sure where that DYK came from - was there before I started looking into the whole thing. I think, in relation to Taddeo Barberini, the relevant pages probably need some work. Some suggest Urban VIII purchased the comune and appointed his nephew as it's Prince. Others simply say it was purchased by the Barberini, which could mean Taddeo himself or it could be a reference to the Pope. 4-5 of Taddeo's ancestors became Prince of Palestrina after him. It probably matters little whether he was given the title or gave it to himself, right? Stalwart111 (talk) 07:12, 29 June 2010 (UTC)


 * I made a few changes. --Enric Naval (talk) 10:15, 30 June 2010 (UTC)


 * Cool, thanks for contributing. Needs more work but I think we're heading in the right direction. Stalwart111 (talk) 10:33, 30 June 2010 (UTC)


 * And a few more changes.... George L. Williams doesn't say that Olimpia looted papal stuff during the 3 days after the death, he says that she stole "(...) when Innocent was ill and dying. Before his death (...)". At the time of Innocent's death, the palace would be empty due to Olimpia's looting. --Enric Naval (talk) 17:11, 30 June 2010 (UTC)


 * It might, if any of the story is true at all. But it all derives ultimately from Gregorio Leti, who hated the popes, had turned Protestant in Geneva, and was a propagandizer for the anti-papal policies of Louis XIV. Vicedomino (talk) 12:45, 14 March 2016 (UTC)

Pope on 29 December 1644
The text currently states, "Right after Innocent's body was removed on 29 December, she entered the chamber, removed the chests, and then ran to her palace to lock herself in fear of what angry mobs could do to her". Where was his body removed from? Where was it removed to? Innocent was still alive on December 29. He did not die until the night between January 6 and January 7. On Friday, 1 January 1645, Mass was said in the Pope's sickroom at the Quirinal Palace. The same was done on January 6, and the Pope received Extreme Unction. He was not alone.Vicedomino (talk) 12:45, 14 March 2016 (UTC)

External links modified
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