Charles of Taranto facts for kids

Charles of Taranto (born 1296 – died August 29, 1315) was an important young prince. He was the oldest son of Philip I, Prince of Taranto, who was also known as the titular Latin Emperor of Constantinople. His mother was Thamar Angelina Komnene, whose father was the ruler of Epirus.

Early Life and Betrothals

Charles's father, Philip, became the ruler of the Principality of Achaea in southern Greece in 1307. However, another noble, Matilda of Hainaut, also claimed this land. Matilda was the wife of Guy II de la Roche, the Duke of Athens. Guy was made Philip's representative, called a bailli, in Achaea. But Guy died in 1308 without children, leaving Matilda a widow.

To settle the claims over Achaea, a plan was made in 1309. The fifteen-year-old Matilda was set to marry the twelve-year-old Charles. Their engagement ceremony happened in Thebes on April 2, with many important people watching.

A New Engagement

The marriage plan between Charles and Matilda was called off in 1313. Matilda then married Louis of Burgundy. This was part of a big agreement where Matilda received Achaea, but Charles's father, Philip, still had some control over it.

In the same year, Charles's father Philip married Catherine of Valois. She was the titular Latin Empress. To make up for Charles's broken engagement, he was then betrothed to Catherine's sister, Joan of Valois.

The Battle of Montecatini

Just like his first engagement, Charles's betrothal to Joan never led to marriage. In 1315, Charles's father, Philip, led soldiers from Naples to help the people of Florence. They were being attacked at Montecatini by forces from Pisa, led by Uguccione della Faggiuola. Charles of Taranto went with his father, along with his uncle, Peter, Count of Gravina.

Charles's Death in Battle

At first, Philip's army had some success. But then Philip became sick with a fever. His army was badly defeated by Uguccione at the Battle of Montecatini. Charles was killed during the battle. His uncle Peter also died. Philip, who was ill, managed to escape.

Charles's body was found close to Uguccione's son, Francesco. People at the time believed that Charles and Francesco had killed each other. After the battle, a knight named Rainieri della Gherardesca, who had a long-standing disagreement with Charles's family, accepted his knighthood by placing his foot on Charles's body.

Bartholomew of Lucca helped get Charles's body back from the Pisans after the battle. A religious leader named Remigio dei Girolami gave a speech about Charles's death.

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See also

In Spanish: Carlos de Tarento para niños