Hercule, Lord of Monaco

Hercule (24 September 1562 - 29 November 1604) was Lord of Monaco from May 17 1589 – November 29 1604.

Hercules was the youngest of four sons of Honoré I (1522-1581) and Isabella Grimaldi. His eldest brother Charles II became Lord of Monaco on the death of their father in 1581. Hercules' two elder brothers Francois (1557-1586) and Horace (1558-1559) died in childhood. Thus leaving Hercules as heir to his brother Charles II, who died in 1589 at the age of 34, without issue. Hercules was 27 years old.

He married Maria Landi on 15 December 1595 and the marriage produced two children;
*Honoré II (24 December 1597 - 10 January 1662)
*Giovanna Grimaldi (d. 1620)

Hercules was murdered in 1604 and his six year old son Honoré became Lord of Monaco under the regency of Hercules' brother in law, Frederico Landi. Honoré was the first Lord of Monaco to be called Prince of Monaco.