Charles, Duke of Calabria
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Charles, Duke of Calabria (1298 – November 9, 1328) was the son of King Robert of Naples and Yolanda of Aragon.
[edit] Biography
Born in Naples, he became Duke of Calabria in 1309 on his father's accession, and was created Vicar-General of the Kingdom of Sicily (Naples). His father intended him to lead the force sent to aid Florence in 1315, but was constrained by time to send Robert's brother, Philip I of Taranto, instead. The Florentine-Neapolitan coalition was badly beaten at the ensuing Battle of Montecatini.
In 1316, he married Catherine of Habsburg (1295–1323), daughter of Albert I of Germany. After her death, he married Marie of Valois (1309–1332), daughter of Charles of Valois. They had five children:
- Eloisa (d. December 1325)
- Marie (1326–1328)
- Charles Martel (Florence, April 13, 1327 – April 21, 1327, Florence)
- Joan I of Naples (1328–1382)
- Marie of Calabria (1329–1366), Countess of Alba. Married Charles, Duke of Durazzo.
The victory of Castruccio Castracani at Altopascio in 1325 led the Florentines to elect Charles signore (lord) of the city for ten years in 1326. At the time, he was unsuccessfully attempting to seize Sicily from his first cousin Frederick III, and sent Walter VI of Brienne as his deputy until he could arrive, where Walter made a (misleadingly) favorable impression. While Charles' arrival checked Castruccio, he exacted onerous taxes from the Florentines, until he was recalled to Naples in December 1327 due to the advance of Emperor Louis IV into Italy. There he died in 1328. He left as heir his eldest surviving daughter, Joan; a posthumous daughter, Marie, was born in 1329.
