Robert, Prince of Taranto facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert
Prince of Taranto, King of Albania, Prince of Achaea, titular Latin Emperor
Seal of Robert of Taranto
Born	1319/1326
Died	10 September 1364
Spouse	Marie de Bourbon, Princess of Achaea
House	House of Anjou-Sicily
Father	Philip I, Prince of Taranto
Mother	Catherine of Valois–Courtenay

Coat of arms of Robert of Taranto. They are the combination of the arms of Anjou and those of the Latin Empire of Constantinople.

Robert II of Taranto was a powerful prince who lived in the 1300s. He was part of the Angevin family, a very important royal family. Robert held many big titles during his life. He was the Prince of Taranto, the King of Albania, and the Prince of Achaea. He was also known as the "titular Latin Emperor," which meant he had the title of emperor, even if he didn't rule a large empire directly.

Robert II of Taranto: A Prince's Story

Robert II of Taranto was born sometime between 1319 and early 1326. He was the oldest son of Philip I, Prince of Taranto and Empress Catherine II of Valois. His family was well-known across Europe.

Becoming a Prince

In 1332, something important happened for Robert. His uncle, John of Gravina, made a deal. John gave up his rights to Achaea to Robert. In return, Robert gave up his claims to the Kingdom of Albania. He also loaned his uncle 5,000 ounces of gold. This money was raised with the help of Niccolo Acciaiuoli. After this exchange, Robert officially became the Prince of Achaea.

His Reign and Marriage

Because Robert was still young, his mother, Catherine II of Valois, was the real ruler. She managed things until she passed away in 1346. After her death, Robert inherited the title of Latin Emperor. Other Latin states in Greece recognized him as their emperor. However, his true power came from being the Prince of Achaea.

On September 9, 1347, Robert married Marie of Bourbon. She was the daughter of Louis I, Duke of Bourbon. Their wedding took place in Naples. Robert and Marie did not have any children together.

End of His Rule

Robert II of Taranto died on September 10, 1364, in Naples. He was buried there. After he died, his wife, Marie, tried to keep the principality for herself. She wanted it for her son from a previous marriage. However, Robert's younger brother, Philip II of Taranto, was the rightful heir. Philip II became the next ruler.

Sources

• Bon, Antoine (1969) (in fr). La Morée franque. Recherches historiques, topographiques et archéologiques sur la principauté d'Achaïe. Paris: De Boccard. OCLC 869621129. http://cefael.efa.gr/detail.php?site_id=1&actionID=page&serie_id=BefarA&volume_number=213&issue_number=1.

• Topping, Peter (1975). "The Morea, 1311–1364". In Setton, Kenneth M.. A History of the Crusades, Volume III: The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. Madison and London: University of Wisconsin Press. pp. 104–140. ISBN 0-299-06670-3. http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/History/History-idx?type=article&did=History.CrusThree.i0016&id=History.CrusThree&isize=M.
• Setton, Kenneth Mayer (1975). "Important dates and events". In Setton, Kenneth M.. A History of the Crusades, Volume III: The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. Madison and London: University of Wisconsin Press. pp. 667-676. ISBN 0-299-06670-3. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/History.CrusThree.