Avola

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For the Sicilian city, see Avola (SR).

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Avola was the name of a line of lords and later marquises in Sicily, bearing the family name Arago. The line was originated by the king Frederick II of Aragon, who gave the title "Lord of Avola" to his son Orland. Three of Orland's sons also held the title, those being Alphonse I, Frederick I of Sicily, and John I. In the following generation, the son of John, John II (died c. 1451), took up the title. John II was not married, but had several bastard sons; one of them, John III, inherited the title from him. John III died in 1471 and was succeeded by his son Gaspar d'Aragó, lord of Avola and (from his mother Beatriu of Cruilles) lord of Terranova. Charles of Aragó, son of Gaspar, was the following and last lord of Avola and Terranova.

After the death of Gaspar, the title was changed to Marquis of Avola. As Gaspar had no sons, the heir to the title was his daughter Antonia, who married his cousin Francesco I, Count of Castelvetrano. Following that, the title passed to Francesco's brother Giovanni, who originated the family Tagliavia d'Aragona, dukes of Terranova.