Charlotte of Naples
Encyclopedia
Charlotte of Naples also known as Charlotte of Aragon and Princess of Taranto
, was the eldest daughter and eventual heiress of Federigo IV, King of Naples
. Although her father was dispossessed of his kingdom, her descendants, the House of La Trémoïlle
maintained their dynastic
claim in exile.
Daughter of the Neapolitan king's first marriage to Anne of Savoy
, a granddaughter of Charles VII of France
, Charlotte was married to Guy XV, Count of Laval
, head of one of Brittany's most powerful noble families.
, who wished to marry her. Charlotte refused him, and instead on 10 June 1500 married Guy de Laval, Count of Laval.
, fled to Spain in 1504, whence he did not return. On his death without legitimate descendants in Valencia in 1550, Anne was long dead and France had lost the crown of Naples to another branch of the Aragonese dynasty. Nonetheless her issue took up the fruitless pretence
to the crown, while pursuing their interests in Brittany and France. Anne is posthumously attributed the title, Princess of Taranto, which had been borne by Neapolitan heirs apparent
in the eighteenth century annals of Père Anselme
.
Only one of her children, Anne
(born in 1505) survived to adulthood and left offspring of her marriage, thus passing the Neapolitan royal claim and princely Taranto title to the La Trémoïlle family in France.
Principality of Taranto
The Principality of Taranto was a state in southern Italy created in 1088 for Bohemond I, eldest son of Robert Guiscard, as part of the peace between him and his younger brother Roger Borsa after a dispute over the succession to the Duchy of Apulia....
, was the eldest daughter and eventual heiress of Federigo IV, King of Naples
Frederick IV of Naples
Frederick IV , sometimes known as Frederick I or Federico d'Aragona, was the last King of Naples of the House of Trastámara, ruling from 1496 to 1501...
. Although her father was dispossessed of his kingdom, her descendants, the House of La Trémoïlle
La Trémoille
Members of the House of La Trémoille, were part of an old French family which derives its name from a village in the department of Vienne....
maintained their dynastic
Dynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers considered members of the same family. Historians traditionally consider many sovereign states' history within a framework of successive dynasties, e.g., China, Ancient Egypt and the Persian Empire...
claim in exile.
Daughter of the Neapolitan king's first marriage to Anne of Savoy
Anne of Savoy
Anne of Savoy, Princess of Squillace, Altamura, and Taranto was the first wife of King Frederick IV. She died 16 years before he succeeded to the Neopolitan throne, so she was never queen consort...
, a granddaughter of Charles VII of France
Charles VII of France
Charles VII , called the Victorious or the Well-Served , was King of France from 1422 to his death, though he was initially opposed by Henry VI of England, whose Regent, the Duke of Bedford, ruled much of France including the capital, Paris...
, Charlotte was married to Guy XV, Count of Laval
Guy de Laval
Guy de Laval may refer to:* Guy XIII de Laval * Guy XIV de Laval * Guy XVI de Laval * Guy XX de Laval...
, head of one of Brittany's most powerful noble families.
Marriage
Following her mother's death which occurred shortly after her birth, Charlotte was raised in France and brought up at the French court. One of her suitors was Cesare BorgiaCesare Borgia
Cesare Borgia , Duke of Valentinois, was an Italian condottiero, nobleman, politician, and cardinal. He was the son of Pope Alexander VI and his long-term mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei. He was the brother of Lucrezia Borgia; Giovanni Borgia , Duke of Gandia; and Gioffre Borgia , Prince of Squillace...
, who wished to marry her. Charlotte refused him, and instead on 10 June 1500 married Guy de Laval, Count of Laval.
Claim to kingdom of Naples
In the year following Charlotte's marriage, her father lost his throne and freedom to France in war. Her brother, Ferdinand of Aragón, Duke of CalabriaFerdinand of Aragón, Duke of Calabria
For the prince known by this name between 1825 and 1830, see Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies. For the head of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies from 1934 to 1960, see Prince Ferdinand Pius, Duke of Calabria....
, fled to Spain in 1504, whence he did not return. On his death without legitimate descendants in Valencia in 1550, Anne was long dead and France had lost the crown of Naples to another branch of the Aragonese dynasty. Nonetheless her issue took up the fruitless pretence
Pretender
A pretender is one who claims entitlement to an unavailable position of honour or rank. Most often it refers to a former monarch, or descendant thereof, whose throne is occupied or claimed by a rival, or has been abolished....
to the crown, while pursuing their interests in Brittany and France. Anne is posthumously attributed the title, Princess of Taranto, which had been borne by Neapolitan heirs apparent
Heir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
in the eighteenth century annals of Père Anselme
Père Anselme
Père Anselme was a French genealogist.He was born in Paris in 1625. As a layman his name was Pierre Guibours...
.
Only one of her children, Anne
Anne de Laval (1505-1554)
Anne de Laval , princesse de Tarente, was a French noblewoman and nominal pretender to the Kingdom of Naples...
(born in 1505) survived to adulthood and left offspring of her marriage, thus passing the Neapolitan royal claim and princely Taranto title to the La Trémoïlle family in France.