Charles Martel of Anjou facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charles Martel of Anjou |
|
|---|---|
| titular King of Hungary and Croatia | |
Charles Martel of Anjou by Anton Boys
|
|
| Born | 8 September 1271 |
| Died | 12 August 1295 (aged 23) |
| Burial | Naples Cathedral |
| Spouse | Clemence of Austria (m. 1281, d. 1293/1295) |
| Issue |
|
| House | Anjou-Sicily Anjou-Hungary (founder) |
| Father | Charles II of Naples |
| Mother | Mary of Hungary |
Charles Martel (born 8 September 1271 – died 12 August 1295) was a prince from the Capetian House of Anjou family. He was the oldest son of King Charles II of Naples and Mary of Hungary. His mother, Mary, was the daughter of King Stephen V of Hungary.
Charles Martel was named the "titular" King of Hungary when he was 18 years old. This means he had the title of king, but he didn't actually rule the country. Pope Nicholas IV and the church leaders supported him. He was meant to take over from his uncle, Ladislaus IV of Hungary, who had no children. The Pope had even called for a special religious war against Ladislaus earlier.
Claiming the Throne: Hungary and Croatia
Charles Martel never managed to rule the Kingdom of Hungary. At that time, his cousin, Andrew III of Hungary, who was also from the Árpád dynasty (the ruling family of Hungary), was in charge.
However, Charles Martel was successful in claiming his right to rule in the Kingdom of Croatia. Back then, Croatia was connected to Hungary through a "personal union." This meant they shared the same ruler, but each kingdom kept its own laws and government.
Life and Legacy
Sadly, Charles Martel died from the plague in Naples when he was only 23 years old. Even though he didn't rule Hungary, his son, Charles (who was also known as Charles Robert), later became the King of Hungary.
Charles Martel was known by the famous Italian poet Dante Alighieri. In Dante's famous poem, Divine Comedy, Dante writes warmly about Charles Martel's spirit when they meet in a part of Heaven called the Heaven of Venus. This shows that Charles Martel was a respected and well-liked person.
Family Life
Charles Martel married a woman named Clemence of Habsburg. She was the daughter of Rudolph I, who was the King of Germany. Clemence also died in 1295, the same year as Charles Martel.
They had three children together:
- Charles I of Hungary (born 1288 – died 1342): He later became the King of Hungary.
- Beatrix (born 1290 – died 1354): She married Jean II de La Tour du Pin, Dauphin du Viennois in 1296.
- Clementia (born February 1293 – died 12 October 1328): She married Louis X of France in 1315 and became the Queen of France.
