Maria, Queen of Sicily facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maria of Sicily |
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| Queen of Sicily | |
| Reign | 27 July 1377 – 25 May 1401 |
| Coronation | 1377, Palermo |
| Predecessor | Frederick the Simple |
| Successor | Martin the Younger |
| Co-ruler | Martin the Younger |
| Born | 2 July 1363 Catania, Kingdom of Sicily |
| Died | 25 May 1401 (aged 37) Lentini, Kingdom of Sicily |
| Burial | Cathedral of St Agatha, Catania, Kingdom of Sicily |
| Spouse | Martin the Younger |
| Issue | Peter of Sicily |
| House | Aragón |
| Father | Frederick the Simple |
| Mother | Constance of Aragon |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Maria (born July 2, 1363 – died May 25, 1401) was a powerful queen. She ruled Sicily from 1377 until she died. She was also the Duchess of Athens and Neopatria.
Becoming Queen
Maria was born in Catania, a city in Sicily. She was the only child of King Frederick the Simple and his first wife, Constance of Aragon. When her father died in 1377, Maria was only thirteen years old. Because she was so young, four powerful noble families took over the government. These families were called "vicars."
A Time of Trouble
The vicars were supposed to rule together. However, each of the four men mostly ruled their own lands. This caused a lot of arguments and unrest in Sicily.
In 1379, Maria was kidnapped! A Sicilian nobleman named William Raymond of Montcada took her. He did this to stop her from marrying Giangaleazzo Visconti, who was the Duke of Milan. Maria was held prisoner for two years in a place called Licata. Her grandfather, King Peter IV of Aragon, had approved of this kidnapping.
In 1382, an army from Aragon rescued Maria. She was first taken to Sardinia. Then, in 1384, she moved to Aragon. There, she married Martin the Younger in 1390. Martin was King Peter IV's grandson.
Ruling Together
In 1392, Maria and Martin returned to Sicily. They brought an army with them. They defeated the nobles who had been causing trouble. Maria and Martin then ruled Sicily together.
They ruled jointly until Maria's death in 1401. After she died, Martin ruled Sicily alone. Maria and Martin had one son, named Peter. Sadly, Peter died very young, between 1398 and 1400. This meant there was no direct heir to the throne. Maria died in Lentini in 1401.
See also
In Spanish: María de Sicilia para niños
