Rafael Casanova

Rafael Casanova i Comes
Statue in Barcelona by Rossend Nobas (1888)
Head Councillor of Barcelona
In office
30 November 1713 – 11 September 1714
MonarchCharles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Preceded byManuel Flix i Ferreró
Personal details
Borncirca 1660
Moià, Principality of Catalonia, Monarchy of Spain
Died2 May 1743(1743-05-02) (aged 83)
Sant Boi de Llobregat, Principality of Catalonia, Kingdom of Spain
Political partyAustriacist
SpouseMaria Bosch i Barba
OccupationLawyer
Signature

Rafael Casanova i Comes (Catalan pronunciation: [rəˈfɛl ˌkazəˈnɔβə]; 1660 – 2 May 1743) was a Catalan jurist and supporter of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor as a claimant to the Crown of Spain during the War of the Spanish succession. He became mayor of Barcelona and commander in chief of Catalonia during the Siege of Barcelona until he was wounded in combat while commanding La Coronela during the counterattack on the Saint Peter front on the last day of the siege, 11 September 1714. After the war he received a royal pardon for having supported the Habsburg claim to the Spanish throne. He recovered from his wounds, and continued his fight against absolute monarchy as a lawyer.[citation needed] It has been claimed that he is the author of the book Record de l'Aliança fet el Sereníssim Jordi Augusto Rey de la Gran Bretanya (Remembrance of the Alliance to George I of Great Britain) in which Catalonia reminds England of the Treaty of Genoa and their obligation to Catalonia.