Margaret of Durazzo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Margaret of Durazzo |
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Funerary monument of Queen Margaret of Durazzo, Salerno Cathedral
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| Queen consort of Naples | |
| Tenure | 12 May 1382 – 24 February 1386 |
| Coronation | 25 November 1382 |
| Queen consort of Hungary | |
| Tenure | 1385 – 24 February 1386 |
| Born | 28 July 1347 |
| Died | 6 August 1412 (aged 65) Acquamela, Kingdom of Naples |
| Burial | Salerno Cathedral |
| Spouse | Charles III of Naples |
| Issue More |
Joanna II of Naples Ladislaus, King of Naples |
| House | Anjou-Durazzo |
| Father | Charles, Duke of Durazzo |
| Mother | Maria of Calabria |
Margaret of Durazzo (born July 28, 1347 – died August 6, 1412) was a powerful queen in the Middle Ages. She was the Queen of Naples and Hungary. She became queen by marrying Charles III of Naples. Margaret also served as the ruler (regent) of Naples from 1386 to 1393. She ruled while her son, Ladislaus of Naples, was too young to govern.
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Early Life and Family
Margaret was born on July 28, 1347. Her father was Charles, Duke of Durazzo. Her mother was Maria of Calabria. Margaret was the fourth daughter in her family. However, she was the only one who had children. Her family line, the Capetian House of Anjou, ended with her daughter.
In February 1369, Margaret married her cousin, Charles of Durazzo. They were both from the same royal family. Margaret was 22 years old, and Charles was 24 when they married.
Becoming Queen
Charles managed to take the throne from Margaret's aunt, Queen Joanna I of Naples, in 1382. When Charles became king, Margaret became his queen. This made her the Queen of Naples. Charles also became the Prince of Achaea in 1383. Margaret was still his queen during this time.
Later, Charles was offered the crown of Hungary. Margaret was not in favor of this idea. She tried to convince her husband not to take the Hungarian throne. Despite her concerns, Charles became King of Hungary in December 1385. He took the throne from Queen Mary of Hungary. Mary was the daughter of Charles's cousin. Sadly, Charles died in Hungary on February 24, 1386.
Margaret as Regent
After Charles's death, Margaret became a queen dowager. This means she was a queen whose husband had died. She also became the ruler (regent) of Naples. She ruled for her young son, Ladislaus, from 1386 until 1393.
During this time, there were some disagreements with Pope Urban VI. The Pope had concerns about Charles. Because of these issues, the Pope had excommunicated Charles and Margaret. This meant they were no longer allowed to be part of the Catholic Church. However, Margaret later made peace with Pope Boniface IX. Her excommunication was lifted. With help from Cardinal Angelo Acciaioli, she continued to rule as regent until July 1393.
Margaret lived for 26 years after her husband died. She never married again. Her son, Ladislaus, became the King of Naples.
Later Years and Death
In her final years, Margaret lived a quiet life. She first moved to Salerno. Then she went to Acquamela. She became a very religious person. She joined a group called the Franciscan Third Order.
Margaret died in 1412 from a disease called plague. She was buried in a simple white robe, as she had wished. Her burial place is in Salerno Cathedral.
Children of Margaret
Margaret and Charles had three children:
- Mary of Durazzo (1369–1371)
- Joanna II of Naples (born June 23, 1373 – died February 2, 1435)
- Ladislaus of Naples (born February 11, 1377 – died August 6, 1414)
See also
In Spanish: Margarita de Durazzo para niños
