General Notes

Ferdinand II (Two Sicilies), known as King Bomba (1810-59), king of the Two
Sicilies (1830-59), son of King Francis I, whom he succeeded. His reign was
marked by numerous insurrections, including one in Sicily early in 1848, which
was followed by revolutions against autocratic rule in most parts of Europe.
Although Ferdinand attempted at first to placate the insurgents by granting a
reformed constitution, the failure of the revolutions in other countries
encouraged him to reverse his stand. In 1849 he dissolved the parliament, and
later that year he authorized the bombardment of the rebellious cities of
Sicily, an atrocity that earned him the nickname of King Bomba. His rule,
characterized by terror and deceit, was supported by Austria but aroused
protests from the governments of France and Great Britain. He was succeeded by
his son Francis II, the last Bourbon ruler of Naples and Sicily.