Ferdinand of Majorca facts for kids

A coin minted by Ferdinand during his short time ruling Achaea.

Ferdinand of Majorca (Catalan: Ferran de Mallorca) was a prince from the Kingdom of Majorca. He was born in Perpignan in 1278. Ferdinand was the third son of King James II.

From 1311, he was the Viscount of Aumelas and Lord of Frontignan. In 1315, he also claimed the title of Prince of Achaea.

Early Life and Adventures

Ferdinand was sent by Frederick III of Sicily to lead a group of soldiers called the Catalan Company. However, one of their leaders, Bernat de Rocafort, refused to let Ferdinand take command.

On his way back, Ferdinand was captured by the Venetians in a place called Negroponte. He was released by 1310. That same year, he showed great bravery during the siege of Almería. He even defeated the son of the King of Guadix in battle.

Family and Claim to Achaea

In 1313, Ferdinand went back to Sicily. He took part in a war against the Angevins and was made Lord of Catania.

Around this time, a noblewoman named Margaret of Villehardouin was in Sicily. She was trying to claim the Principality of Achaea for herself. Margaret decided to marry her daughter, Isabella of Sabran, to Ferdinand. She also gave her claim to Achaea to the young couple. Ferdinand and Isabella were married in Messina.

Sadly, Margaret died in March 1315 while imprisoned. Her daughter, Isabella, passed away on May 7, 1315, in Catania. This happened shortly after she gave birth to their son, James III of Majorca.

Fighting for Achaea

After Isabella's death, Ferdinand quickly gathered a small group of soldiers. He sailed to the Morea (a region in Greece) to claim Achaea for his young son. In June 1315, he captured the city of Clarenza. For a short time, he controlled the Morea region.

In the autumn of 1315, Ferdinand married a second time. His new wife was Isabella of Ibelin, whose father was Philip of Ibelin, a important official in Cyprus.

However, Ferdinand had a rival for the throne of Achaea. This was Matilda of Hainaut and her husband, Louis of Burgundy. They returned to the Morea in the spring of 1316 with help from the Venetians. Ferdinand was waiting for help from Majorca and Sicily, but it arrived too late. The Catalan Company from Athens also did not arrive in time.

Facing many more enemies, Ferdinand was killed in the Battle of Manolada. This battle took place near Glarentza on July 5, 1316.

Legacy

After Ferdinand's death, his elder son, James III, became the next in line to the throne of Majorca. Ferdinand's younger son, who was born after his father's death, became the Viscount of Aumelas.

See also

In Spanish: Fernando de Mallorca para niños