Charles III of Naples facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charles III (II) |
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Charles as depicted in the Chronica Hungarorum, 1488
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| King of Naples | |
| Reign | 12 May 1382 – 24 February 1386 |
| Coronation | 2 June 1381, Rome |
| Predecessor | Joanna I |
| Successor | Ladislaus |
| King of Hungary and Croatia | |
| Reign | 31 December 1385 – 24 February 1386 |
| Coronation | 31 December 1385, Székesfehérvár |
| Predecessor | Mary I |
| Successor | Mary I |
| Prince of Achaea | |
| Reign | 17 July 1383 – 24 February 1386 |
| Predecessor | James of Baux |
| Successor | Pedro de San Superano |
| Born | 1345 Durazzo, Kingdom of Naples |
| Died | 24 February 1386 (aged 41) Visegrád, Kingdom of Hungary |
| Spouse | Margaret of Durazzo |
| Issue More |
Joanna II of Naples Ladislaus of Naples |
| House | Anjou-Durazzo |
| Father | Louis of Durazzo |
| Mother | Margaret of Sanseverino |
Charles of Durazzo (born 1345, died 1386) was a powerful European ruler. He was also known as Charles the Small. He became King of Naples and the titular King of Jerusalem in 1382. He ruled these lands until 1386. For a short time, from 1385 to 1386, he was also King of Hungary. In 1381, Charles started a special group of knights called the Order of the Ship. He also became the ruler of the Principality of Achaea in 1383.
Contents
The Life of Charles of Durazzo
Early Years and Family
Charles was the only child of Louis of Durazzo and Margaret of Sanseverino. His father, Louis, was a younger son of John, Duke of Durazzo. John was the youngest son of King Charles II of Naples. Charles was born in Durazzo. Historians believe he was born in either 1354 or 1357.
When Charles was young, his father rebelled against Queen Joanna I of Naples. His father was defeated and sent to prison. Young Charles was then sent to Queen Joanna I's court in Naples as a hostage. After his father died in prison in 1362, Queen Joanna treated Charles very well. She made sure he lived like a royal family member.
A Royal Marriage
Charles's distant cousin, Louis I of Hungary, had no sons. King Louis invited Charles to Hungary around 1364 or 1365. Louis first thought about marrying Charles to Anne of Bohemia. She was the daughter of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor. However, this plan did not work out.
Next, King Louis suggested Charles marry his cousin, Margaret of Durazzo. Margaret was the youngest daughter of Queen Joanna's sister, Maria of Calabria. Queen Joanna did not like this idea. But Pope Urban VI gave special permission for the marriage. Charles and Margaret were married in Naples on January 24, 1370. In 1371, King Louis made Charles the governor of Slavonia, Croatia, and Dalmatia. Charles was given the title of duke.
Becoming King of Naples
A big conflict began in 1378. Queen Joanna I of Naples supported Antipope Clement VII. This was against Pope Urban VI. Pope Urban VI was very angry. He removed Queen Joanna from her kingdom. He then gave the kingdom to Charles of Durazzo and his wife Margaret.
Charles marched into the Kingdom of Naples with his army. He defeated Queen Joanna's husband, Otto, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen. Charles captured Naples and surrounded Queen Joanna in her castle. After Otto failed to rescue her, Charles captured the Queen. She was imprisoned at San Fele. In 1382, Queen Joanna passed away while imprisoned. Charles then became the new King of Naples.
Challenges as King
Queen Joanna's adopted son, Louis I of Anjou, tried to take Naples back. He came with a large army of about 40,000 soldiers. Charles had a smaller army of about 14,000 men. Charles used clever tactics to avoid direct battles. He kept the French army busy in other parts of the kingdom. Louis I of Anjou died suddenly in 1384. This ended his attempt to take Naples.
At this time, Charles's relationship with Pope Urban VI became difficult. The Pope suspected Charles was plotting against him. In 1385, the Pope had some church leaders arrested. He believed they were involved in a plot with Charles. The Pope then removed Charles and his wife from the church. This meant they could not receive church services. Charles responded by sending his army to surround the Pope in Nocera. After six months, the Pope was freed by some local leaders.
Claiming the Hungarian Throne
After King Louis I of Hungary died, Charles went to Hungary. He claimed the Hungarian throne for himself. He was the most senior male relative from the Angevin family. In December 1385, he took the throne from Louis's daughter, Mary. Charles had strong support from many Croatian lords. He had made many friends during his time as Duke of Croatia and Dalmatia.
However, Mary's mother, Elizabeth of Bosnia, was not happy. She arranged for Charles to be attacked on February 7, 1386. Charles died from his wounds at Visegrád on February 24. He was buried in Visegrád. No religious ceremony was held because he was still removed from the church by Pope Urban VI.
His son, Ladislaus of Naples, became King of Naples. In Hungary, Mary was made Queen again. Ladislaus would later try to claim the Hungarian crown too.
Charles's Children
Charles III and his wife, Margaret of Durazzo, had three children:
- Mary of Durazzo (1369–1371).
- Joanna II of Naples (born 1373, died 1435).
- Ladislaus of Naples (born 1377, died 1414).
