Maria of Calabria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maria of Calabria |
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| Countess of Alba Duchess of Durazzo Countess of Avellino, Lady of Baux Princess consort of Taranto and Achaea titular Latin Empress of Constantinople |
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Tomb in Santa Chiara, in Naples
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| Born | 6 May 1329 |
| Died | 20 May 1366 (aged 37) |
| Burial | Santa Chiara Basilica |
| Spouse |
Charles, Duke of Durazzo
(m. 1343; died 1348)Robert, Lord of Baux and Count of Avellino
(m. 1350; died 1353) |
| Issue | |
| House | Anjou-Naples |
| Father | Charles, Duke of Calabria |
| Mother | Marie of Valois |
Maria of Calabria (born May 6, 1329 – died May 20, 1366) was a princess from Naples. She belonged to a very important royal family called the Capetian House of Anjou. Her family's descendants later became rulers of Naples after her older sister, Queen Joanna I.
Contents
A Royal Life
Maria's Early Years
Maria was born in 1329, about six months after her father, Charles, Duke of Calabria, passed away. Her mother was Marie of Valois, who was also the half-sister of King Philip VI of France. Maria had an older sister named Joanna, who was born in 1325.
When Maria was two years old, her mother died. This meant Maria and Joanna became orphans. They were then raised in Naples by their grandfather, King Robert.
When Maria was young, the Pope made a special decision. He said that Maria and her sister Joanna should marry sons of King Charles I of Hungary. This was a common way for royal families to make alliances and keep peace.
In 1343, Maria's grandfather, King Robert, passed away. His will stated that her older sister Joanna would become the Queen of Naples. Maria received a lot of land and wealth. She was also still expected to marry Louis I of Hungary. If that marriage didn't happen, she was supposed to marry John, Duke of Normandy, who was the heir to the French throne.
Maria's First Marriage
Soon after her grandfather's death, Maria was taken by Agnes of Périgord. Agnes arranged for Maria to marry her son, Charles, Duke of Durazzo. This marriage happened on April 21, 1343. Maria was almost 14 years old, and Charles was 20.
Maria and Charles had five children:
- Louis of Durazzo (born 1343 – died 1344)
- Joanna, Duchess of Durazzo (born 1344 – died 1387)
- Agnes of Durazzo (born 1345 – died 1388)
- Clementia of Durazzo (born 1346 – died 1363)
- Margaret of Durazzo (born 1347 – died 1412); she later married Charles III of Naples, who became King of Naples and Hungary.
Maria and her husband Charles were part of a group that disagreed with Maria's sister, Queen Joanna of Naples. In 1348, Charles became a high-ranking official in Naples. He tried to gain more power when the King and Queen of Naples had to leave because of an invasion. However, Charles was captured by the Hungarian army just a few days later. On January 23, 1348, Charles was executed. Maria became a widow at just 19 years old.
Maria's Second Marriage
After Charles died, Maria went to Avignon to seek safety with the Pope. In 1348, a terrible sickness called the Black Death spread. This forced the Hungarian army to go back home. Maria then returned to Naples.
Later, Maria was taken again. This time, she was forced to marry Robert, Lord of Baux and Count of Avellino. They did not have any children together.
In 1351, Robert's father was killed. Two years later, in 1353, Maria was finally rescued. However, her husband Robert was captured and later killed.
Maria's Third Marriage
Soon after her second husband's death, Maria was held captive again. She was released only after she married Philip II, Prince of Taranto in April 1355. Philip was the younger brother of Maria's brother-in-law.
Maria and Philip had three sons who sadly died when they were very young. They also had two sons who were stillborn. In 1364, Philip became the ruler of Taranto and other lands.
Because of her grandfather's will, Maria was the next in line to the throne of Naples if her sister Joanna I died without children. When Maria passed away in 1366, her claims to the throne went to her three surviving daughters. One of her daughters, Margaret, married Charles III of Naples. Charles later became King of Naples in 1382, after Queen Joanna I was removed from power.
Maria died at the age of 37. She was buried in the Santa Chiara Basilica in Naples.
Images for kids
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Tomb of Maria of Calabria in Santa Chiara, Naples
