A Brief History
Umberto I was born into the Savoy family in Turin. He began a successful military career in the Sardinian Army which he joined in the rank of Captain. He took part in the Italian Wars of Independence and he became a distinguished and noted officer when he commanded the XVI Division at the Villa Franca battle that followed the Italian defeat at Custoza. He married his first cousin Margherita Teresa Giovanna, Princess of Savoy with whom he had one son.
Often portrayed as a model constitutional monarch who rarely interfered with parliamentary affairs, Umberto I was in reality content to block ministerial engagements and use his royal privilege, especially in matters concerning the army or foreign affairs.
He reigned from 1878 on the death of his father whom he consented to be buried in the Pantheon, Rome rather than in the royal mausoleum of Basilca of Superga. He was particularly disliked in the left wing circles because of his hard line conservatism and his support of the Bara-Beccaris Massacre. This simmering hatred would eventually lead to his death in 1900.
The Beva Becaris Massacre
The Beva Beccaris Massacre occurred during the African colonial and was named after a General who intervened in a demonstration regarding the rising price of bread. The General ordered the firing of cannons into the crowd and as a result, over 100 people were killed - although unofficial figures put the death toll at 350. A further thousand people were injured. Umberto I outraged the public when he officially congratulated the General on his actions for restoring order and decorated him with the medal of Great Official of Savoy Military Order.
The Assassination Attempts
The first assassination attempt occurred in Naples when Umberto I was on tour of the kingdom in 1878. The anarchist, Giovanni Passannante attacked him with a sabre. The King fought him off but he suffered a severe thigh wound. Passannante was sentenced to death but Umberto I converted the sentence to penal service for life.The second attempt on the Kings life was by Pietro Accianto in Rome the following year. The unemployed ironsmith tried unsuccessfully to stab him.
Umberto I was becoming increasingly unpopular and was finally murdered in July 1900 in Monza by four revolver shots. The assassin, an Italo-American anarchist called Gaetano Bresci ,wanted to avenge those who suffered in the Beva Becaris Massacre.
Umberto I became the first and only King to be assassinated and despite his obvious concern for the population of Italy, even his enemies, he was hated for his actions and beliefs. He is the last Savoy to be buried in the Pantheon, next to his father.
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