Duke of San Donato

In 1668, the title was recreated for a wealthy merchant, Antonio Amitrano, who had some years earlier bought the feudal rights over the former dukes' territories.

[4] This was a common ploy by the Spanish, for keeping the powerful nobility of the occupied country loyal to Spain, rather than as a reward for any great service on the part of the newly created duke.

When the rebel's leader, Tommaso Aniello suddenly went mad in the middle of the revolt following a visit to the Governor's Palace, it was widely assumed he had been poisoned and the rebellion grew in animosity and spread beyond the city into the surrounding areas.

However it was to be short lived; the aristocracy raised forces and maintained a blockade of Naples and the rebels, lacking the hoped for support of the French, were quelled and the Spanish were able to restore their authority.

The title was now regarded as extinct and its associated rights reverted to the Royal Court of Naples, still controlled by the Spanish Habsburgs, presided over by Philip IV of Spain.

The ducal fiefs and territories which had reverted to the crown were sold to a wealthy merchant Antonio Ametrano, the son of a clerk in the royal household who had made his money in trade and from excises in Calabria.

During the 300 years that the family held the title, the name of the ducal house changed when the duchy passed through the female line.

The 19th century Gennaro Sambiase Sanseverino , "Duke of San Donato" and Mayor of Naples, who held the ducal title by permission of his brother, Giuseppe, Prince of Bonifati. Sanseverino was politician and supporter of the Risorgimento and the most notable family member. [ 1 ]
Arms of the Sanseverino family, who held the duchy for 52 years in the 17th century.