Noble Dynasty

 

The Association of Knighthood and Nobility serves to unite those granted the honor of knights, nobles, and loyal patrons of the House of Caputo Organization. The Association is responsible for the maintenance the official listing of a sampling of all individuals currently holding an honor from the Caputo Nobility Organization. It is also responsible for record keeping of membership donations and distribution to the Universal Ministries and to Caputo Children´s Fund or direct humanitarian or educational activity. The Association also assists in educating members and interested parties in the history, culture, and tradition of the House.

The Leader of the House of the Caputo Nobility Organization is responsible for general operations and may create and fill positions within the Association to execute the Organization's vision.

The authenticity or legitimacy of an order of chivalry and knighthood stems from its fons honorum (fount of honor).  To be considered as legitimate, such an order must not only have a fons honorum, but that fons honorum must meet certain criteria in order to have the historical authority to “make knights” as it were. The Organization of Caputo Family is not Associatiated with Nobility Houses or Orders of Chivalry.

The Caputo Family Organization does not claim to be of some ancient lineage. Although, the Leader of  the Organization is a descendant of Corrado (Conrad) Caputo Prince of Antioch in the Imperial House of Hohenstaufen and grandson of Frederick II, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, but according to international law, all rights are permanently lost if one generation fails to properly perpetuate the claim. Therefore, we created a new Organization of Nobility, however, we honor the heritage of the ancients, hold dear the virtues of the cannon of chivalry, and choose to preserve and promote the rites of ancient traditions that grew out of the mores of knights a thousand years ago.

ITALIAN LAW

Italian nobiliary practices cannot be compared directly to those of other countries, such as Scotland or Russia. Even within Italy, regional differences must be considered because until circa 1870 the nation did not exist as a politically unified state.

The Nobility of Italy reflects the fact that medieval "Italy" was a set of separate states until 1870 and had many royal bloodlines. The Italian royal families were often related through marriage to each other and to other European royal families.

 We must realize than less that 150 years ago Italy was comprised of about 10 separate small countries, and as result, great-great grandfather was not “Italian”, but either Piemontese, Toscano, Veneziano, Modenese, Parmigiano, a subject of the Pope, or Napoletano – Siciliano, etc.

Prior to Italian Unification, the existence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (which before 1816 was split in Kingdom of Naples and Kingdom of Sicily), the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchy of Parma the Duchy of Modena, the Duchy of Savoy, the Duchy of Milan, the Papal States, various republics and the Austrian dependencies in Northern Italy led to parallel nobility with different traditions and rules.

Contemporary genealogic functions in Italy

THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC was established by popular vote in a/referendum held in 1946, democratically removing the Sovereign from the Throne. During the months to follow, heraldic offices were abolished and the use of titles brought under strict control.The laws of the new republic were to be very explicit indeed. The deposed monarch, King Humbert II, was exiled, his heirs forbidden from setting foot on Italian soil.

While the social use of the old titles of nobility was not banned, peers could no longer expect any legal precedence or other privileges. Their titles remained lawful only in so far as these could be incorporated into the surname. The Consulta Araldica (College of Arms) was formally abolished, its operations assumed by private bodies such as Colleggio Araldico, formerly a heraldry society. Although the Republic would not grant titles or armorial bearings, it would bestow knightly honors upon outstand in citizens—titles which would confer little more than national recognition.

Article 139 of the Constitution of the Italian Republic codifies the exile of the King of Italy and his male heirs, a provision being abrogated only fifty years later. It also abolishes the Consulta Araldica and official recognition of predicati (territorial designations or "seats") if recognized during the Fascist era (i.e. after 28 October 1922).

In the XIV transitory disposition of the Italian Constitution, noble titles have never been abolished, simply they are not recognized, but the fact they are not recognized just means that republicans are not interested in titles, that they are private wealth before being historic. The Constitutional Assembly could not deprive citizens of an inborn right, because it would be the same as if a law were approved in the future that canceled certain surnames. 

Know that the Caputo Dynasty is in effect recognized before 1922, therefore the Head of the Caputo Nobility  Organization  has the right to these designations and could be suffixed to surnames, in his case, Caputo of Antioch d´Hauteville von Shwaben Hohenstaufen, Caputo von Antioch, Caputo von Hohenstaufen or Caputo of Jerusalem, etc. The Caputo Dynasty is registered on:

REVIEW OF THE COLLEGE OF ARMS

(HERALDRY REVIEW) Year XX – 1922 Rome

THE COLLEGE OF ARMS

ONCE SOVEREIGN HOUSES OF THE STATES OF ITALY AND NATIONAL FAMILIES DESCENDED FROM THESE OR FROM FOREIGN DYNASTIES

AN HISTORICAL AND NOBILIARY ESSAY.

"Caputo – Descend from Conrad Caputo, Prince of Antioch of the House of Hohenstaufen. Vicar General for the island of Sicily, grandson of Frederick II".

Check the web site of ONCE SOVEREIGN HOUSES OF THE STATES OF ITALY and national families .... scroll down to page 13, you will find that Corrado (Conrad) Caputo Prince of Antioch in the House of Hohenstaufen and grandson to Frederick II, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire,   is registered before the 1922.

One of the merits of which families can be particularly proud is their illustrious origin, which stamps a very important distinction between them and others of their class, especially when it is a matter of being descended from Sovereign Houses.

This is due to the fact that all noble families have enjoyed, albeit in varying degrees for differing reasons, the superiorities and prerogatives of their social status, while a distinguished origin for those who can demonstrate it gives a particular pre-eminence over others of their class, since that is what cannot be claimed by the other houses and on the other hand it is even held in esteem by those who show no respect for the nobility and the privileges enjoyed by it.

From this arises the desire to discover that the earlier generation of which Job wrote (Ch.8, v.8), which may be not only the most ancient but also the most illustrious. 

Yet it is to be admitted that the great Houses, beyond their direct and principal descendants whose continuous genealogy is certified by facts and historical documents, have had offshoots from secondary branches which themselves constitute the origin of new houses, when these latter in no way contradict the illustrious derivation ascribed to them by reason of the importance of it.

This capital element should be taken into account when assessing the authenticity of assertions by heraldists in respect of the derivation of sovereign Houses of Italian states and others for those families which are not themselves the historic house.

It can be demonstrated that in France there are today more than 300 noble names which issue from the blood of the Royal House in female lines and more than 300 families which include the fleur-de-lys in their ancestral arms.

With regard to these elements it is useless to quote the sources from which are drawn the descendance of the families concerned, being sufficient to consult the most notable heraldists. In this respect will be found of the greatest use the Bibliography of Italian Genealogy produced by the Most Illustrious A. Gheno (Heraldic Review of the year 1915 and subsequently).

The political feudalism that Charlemagne had discovered in force under the Frankish Monarchy carried on in full vigor under his weak successors. It is thanks to that great King that it became widespread in the countries conquered by him, because he found it to be an opportune means of government, by means of concessions among which was foremost that of involving vassals in the authority of the Count; which thereafter had to be deemed to constitute a danger for the said royal sovereignty. 

When Charles the Fat was deposed in 887 the Kingdom of Italy found itself divided into numerous hereditary fiefs, kinds of Marches, of which the main ones were three: Friuli, to hold off the barbarians from the East, Spoleto and Camerino to resist domination by the Lombard element (the Dukes of Benevento) and Tuscany as a bulwark against a Saracen invasion. King Guy, the opponent of Berengar I, founded two more Marches, one to hold the northern Alps to which he designated his uncle Marquis Conrad and the other to hold the Western Alps which he entrusted to his brother Anscar.

It is important to observe that the use of aristocratic titles in Italy is in no way outlawed, and historical titles are often used socially, with the titles of Cavaliere (Knight) and Dama (Dame) recognized in some cases.

While there exist no means to petition for "official" recognition of Italian noble titles or coats of arms, some private organizations, such as those associated with the former ruling dynasties, continue to recognize these.

The Italian Republic's recognition (for cultural purposes) of royal dynasties other than the House of Savoy served to bolster a return of adherence to nobiliary laws as these had existed before 1860. The dynasties of the Two Sicilies and Tuscany naturally recognize their own heraldic norms, rather than those of the House of Savoy. The two orders of knighthood (Order of Malta and Constantinian Order of St. George of the Two Sicilies) that recognize ancestral nobility for certain knights employ their own nobiliary standards, at least in theory, and in a few respects these differ from those employed in the Savoy dominions in recent centuries. 

THE HERALDS

 Most medieval Italian heralds were independent; one would never think to associate them with particular houses. Later, when Italy's rulers established courts of chivalry to regulate the use of arms, the courts—and the rulers—were too often foreign ones. Italy had far too many small duchies to allow for widespread heraldic control, and there were no Visitations.

Thus, we find in Italy today no fewer than half a dozen unrelated families bearing the famous arms "azure a bend or". Doubtless the Lombard and Sicilian families sharing these arms never envisioned the day when both would be subjects of the same monarch, much less citizens of the same republic. Because the lawful possession of an ancient coat of arms by a family of distinta civiltad (distinguished gentility) constitutes lesser nobility in Italy, many nobili (landed, untitled nobles) and patrizi (patricians) lay claim to their rank in this manner.

This is significant because the group that Italians consider the "gentry" is little more than a largely non armigerous bourgeosie  emerged during the nineteenth century and today provides the vast majority of the political and commercial elite. The bearing of arms takes on even greater importance because Italian lacks onomastic prefixes (such as the French de and German von) designating noble origins.

With the abolition of the Consults Araldica (College of Arms) by the Republic, a non-official body (Colleggio Araldico) patronized by the House of Savoy assumed certain heraldic functions—primarily the recording of various families' titles and arms. In practice, the role served by Colleggio Araldico is aptly compared to that of Burke's and Debrett's in England. The Libro d'Oro della Nobilta. Italiana (Golden Book of the Italian Nobility) issued every few years by Collegia Araldico lists blazons and concise pedigrees of titled families who remit a fee to defray high publication costs—this in addition to the price of the volume itself.

Hence, numerous names are absent from its pages, having become casualties of the economy or mere oversight. Prominent heraldic scholars, notably Count Guelfi Camaiani and Count Coccia Urbani, both Florentines, assist Italians with armorial claims. Grants of arms are only rarely devised by the two royal houses, and the Italian government exercises no authority in armorial.

These are some of the honorifics used in Italy.

As part of the republican constitution that became effective in Italy on, titles of nobility ceased to be recognized in law (although they were not, strictly, abolished or banned), and the organ of state which had regulated them, the Consulta Araldica, was eliminated.

1 However the so-called predicati — territorial or manorial designations that were often connected to a noble title by use of a nobiliary particle such as di, da, della, dei, could be resumed as part of the legal surname upon judicial approval for persons who possessed it prior to (date of Italian fascism 's accession to power). 

2 In practice, this meant that, e.g., "John Doe, Duke of Somewhere" or "Princess Jane of Kingdom" might become "John Doe di Somewhere" or "Jane della Kingdom", respectively.

Nonetheless, titles are often still used unofficially in villages, private clubs and some social sets. Signore and Signora (formerly signifying landed nobility) are translations of "Sir" and "Lady", used also in the military hierarchy and for persons in official positions or for members of a society's elite.

A few titles are also common in diminutive form as terms of affection for young people (e.g. Principino for "Princekin" or Contessina for "the Little Countess"). Re (King) / Regina (Queen) Principe (Prince) / Principessa (Princess) Duca (Duke) / Duchessa (Duchess) Marchese (Marquis) / Marchesa (Marchioness) Conte (Count or Earl) / Contessa (Countess) Visconte (Viscount) / Viscontessa (Viscountess) Barone (Baron) / Baronessa (Baroness) Coscritto (Select) no female equivalent Patrizio (Patrician) no female equivalent Nobiluomo – n.h./n.u. (Nobleman) / Nobildonna – n.d. (Noblewoman) Cavaliere Ereditario (Baronet) no female equivalent.

3 Use of the prefix "Don" as a style for certain persons of distinction spread to the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily during the Spanish domination of southern Italy in the 16th Century. Officially, it was the style to address a noble (as distinct from a reigning) prince (principe) or duke (duca), and their children and agnatic descendants.

Any Italian monarch (as in Spain) might informally be addressed or referred to with this prefix, for example King Carlos III of Spain was widely known in his Neapolitan realm as "Don Carlo". Genealogical databases and dynastic works still reserve the title for this class of noble by tradition, although it is no longer a right under Italian law. In practice, especially in the countryside, Don was also used as an honorific title for untitled noblemen, such as knights. The feminine is "Donna".

NON NATIONAL ORDERS

The Italian Law of 1953 admits the existence of non-national Orders and distinguishes them from State Orders, as being conferred by other than private societies or associations. With the exception of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, we may broadly speaking identify two types and say that non-statutory Orders are none other than non-national Orders. Among the latter we may disregard the capitulary Orders which elect their own Grand Masters and we may concentrate upon those which have been founded by dynasties, which may not in fact be now reigning. According to the above-mentioned Law, such Orders are legitimately conferred and as such valid

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NOBILITY IN USA

Nobility live today. In present times we, like our forefathers, strive to take part in the life of society, bring up young people in the spirit of unselfishness.

In order for public to better assess the Nobility’s great role in today’s world we will have to briefly mention the Nobility of ancient times.  The Italian and Spanish Crown has bestowed Titles on and confirmed Arms for its subjects for what is America, from the middle of the 16th Century until the beginning of the 19th Century or about 1819, it did so directly from the Crown in Spain or through Viceroys and Governors of the Colonies.

Since the Revolution of 1776 America had not Kings or Queens, but has an old European Nobility which the great majority emigrated after the First World War onward, becoming stable and prosperous. Their children would be US citizens without any interference or threat from the Government .

Many other Nobles have inherited their Titles after becoming US citizens and as of now there is no law that would have the Government bases any action against the said Nobles, if one was even taken. Article I Section 9 Clause 8 of the Constitution clearly forbids the Granting or use of Titles in the USA but does not state a way to enforce the above law, quoted below:

“No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State”. 

Section nine and ten of the Constitution of the United States of America in no way forbids or disallows Titles of Nobility but merely disallows the granting of Titles of Nobility by the government of the United States.

“Therefore, according to the Constitution, the State is not interested whether a person has an ancient or new noble title, and does not forbid the title being born and used in public and private relations, nor is the abuse of noble titles considered a crime”.

TITLE OF NOBILITY 

If nobility title has not been used for centuries, it is not lost, because the titles are granted ad infinitum by the concession deed, by magnanimity, for gestures and virtues, and sometimes for financial reasons, together with the coat of arms, motto and predicate, if involved). Therefore the concession of a noble title signifies a moral and effective recognition of special merits. ((Discourse about the history of country, nobility, chivalry and debellatiohttp://www.consiglioaraldico.com/eng/1/index.php?centro=3. with the President of the Italian Heraldic Council – Marquis Vittorio Spreti Institute, Don Francesco Maria Mariano Duke of Otranto and Lipari.

"The historical evidence of an ancestor's nobiliary title is usually obvious and can be confirmed through juridical investigation because of documents creating or recognizing the rank. It is necessary to establish (genealogically) one's descent from a titled nobleman claimed as an ancestor-whether a father or great-great-grandfather-if a claim is to be based upon demonstrable fact rather than whimsical fancy or familial "tradition." (Luigi Mendola is one of the world's foremost experts on Italian heraldry and feudal history). 

The International Arbitration Tribunal, established under Italian and International law, issues a sentence ascertaining the right to noble titles, predicates and legitimacy of the noble coat of arms.

The sentence issued by the International Arbitration Tribunal is a first-degree sentence under Italian law, once an execution decree has been issued by the President of an ordinary tribunal, pursuant to art. 825 of the Italian Civil Procedure Code. The extract of the sentence and the decree by the president of the ordinary tribunal are published in the Official Gazette.

This sentence is irrevocable under Italian Law, and can be executed, within the limits established by international law, within those States that signed the New York Convention on 10th June 1958. Likewise the sentence establishes that on the confirmation and baptism certificates, the title and predicate can be included.

 CHIVALRY  

With the advent of modern technology, it is now possible to bring together people from the entire planet so that they may interact utilizing the Internet, e-mail, messenger services, and message boards.  The local method of face-to-face interaction in social organization can now be expanded to include interaction between individuals on a planet wide basis.

Presently, modern knighthoods may be awarded in a variety of situations, but it is the voluntary assumption of the rule of chivalry that is most substantially rooted in the traditions of this institution. Even if ecumenical, there is something religious in assuming membership in a chivalric minded organization. Entrance into modern knighthood demands the same rigorous dedication to the esteemed tenets of charity, obedience, humility, justice and charges one to be a defensor fidei (a defender of faith).

The choice of our symbol is the one that resemble the emblems of the families that made our House Illustrious.

Up to left we find the House of Swabia (Hohenstaufen) carried one gold shield, to three lions passings of black, one placed on the other, alias of silver, to three lions passing of red, placed one on the other. (The monarchs of the House of Swabia subsequently added to the ancien arms, the figure of the black Eagle).

Up to right we find therefore the one of Altavilla (Hauteville).  (Arm: Of blue to the squared red silver band and of two rows).  Enrico VI Hohenstaufen, son of the great Barbarossa, and Costanza d' Altavila, daughter of king Ruggero II of Sicily. They were fathers of the' Emperor Frederick II who became father of our Frederick of Antioch father   Corrado Caputo of Antiochia .(Antioch).

Of the same dynasty of Altavilla, of the house of Trancheti, Roberto Trancheti, Roberto Guisgardo had for son Boemond I where he guided the Norman crusade to the first crusade. In Syria he conquered Antioch founding the principality in 1099. From the daughter, Maria Matilde and Frederick II, was born Frederick of Antioch father of our grandfather, Conrad (Caputo) of Antioch. So we can notice that Conrad (Caputo) of Antioch descents from kings and princes two times from the dynasty of Altavilla (Hauteville).

In Third quarter represents the coat of arms of Frederick d' Antioch, father of Conrad (Caputo) of Antioch. The mother of Federico, Maria Matilde of Boemondo the king of Antioch and of Constanza daughter of King Fillips of France Of the Capeti Dynasty and Berta of Holland

Of red and gulls of gold, (the gules represents the descendant and the Coat of arms of the king Fillips of France - deep azure).

In the Fourth quarter A red shield with a gold lion's head, crowned gold: Royal crown. This is the coat of arms of the first Caputo.

Of the red one, the color that it attests, perhaps even more of every other, the nobility of our ancestry, while it remembers the spilling of blood in battle and also audacity, value and dominion. Lion of gold in the arm gentilizia if “it had not expressed permission” from the Fons Honoris and not even “allowed the red with the gold in the arm if not for Princes and Knights, and that they were of illustrious blood”. We have in our coat of arms the gold and the red!

In Center: represents the Eagle of the Holy Roman Germanic Empire, black and crowned gold eagle. Coat of arms of Federico II Hohenstaufen.

The cross that divides the four quarters: black cross of the Teutonic Order of St. Mary of Jerusalem founded by the Fredrick Duke of Swabia of the Hohenstaufen Family.

MEMBERSHIP TO CAPUTO NOBILITY ORGANIZATION

Reasons why you should consider becoming a Member of the House of Caputo Nobility Organization.

Your personal involvement as a Member will provide opportunities, in charity and fraternity, in the assistance of the street children of Guatemala City and world hungry children; to your communities; and to the less fortunate in our midst.

You'll share in the sense of pride all Members feel in knowing that their Organization is second to none in support for our fellow man, especially those most in need; and in binding together to preserve traditional values in the face of attacks against the family and innocent human life.

Your will promote a cosmopolitan society in which differences will be respected, welcomed and appreciated. Each one of us strives to make a difference in the betterment of all humanity through kindness, care and noble virtues.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is not only for men; women also are welcomed in to Caputo Nobility Organization. An invitation to The House of Nobility of Caputo Family Organization will have little to do with a person’s material success; rather, it will be an acknowledgement of a person’s character and integrity. Membership expenses are maintained at an affordable level, in order not to exclude a worthy candidate of modest means.

When you have looked at all pages on this website, and thought over what we are done, then is the time to contact us and become a Member, Knight or Noble of the House of Caputo Nobility Organization.

CONTACT US:  Noble Dynasty