Principality of Taranto

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The Principality of Taranto was a Norman state 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.

Taranto became the capital the principality, which covered almost all of the heel of Apulia. During its subsequent 377 years of history, it was sometimes a powerful and almost independent feudal fief of the Kingdom of Sicily (and later of Naples), sometimes only a title, often given to the heir to the crown or to the husband of a reigning queen. When the House of Anjou was divided, Taranto fell to Durazzo (1394–1463).

Ferdinand I of Naples, also known as King Ferrante, united the Principality of Taranto to the Kingdom of Naples at the death of his wife, Isabella of Taranto. The principality came to an end, but the kings of Naples continued giving the title of Prince of Taranto to their sons, firstly to the future Alfonso II of Naples, eldest son of Isabella.

Contents

[edit] Princes

[edit] Hauteville (Altavilla) dynasty

[edit] Hohenstaufen (Svevia) dynasty

[edit] Angevin (Angiò) dynasty

  • 1266 - King Charles I (1227-1285), defeated Manfred and was created King of Sicily by the pope;
  • 1285 - King Charles II (1248-1309), son of Charles I, king of Naples;
  • 1294 - Philip I (1278-1332), son of Charles II, and titular Latin Emperor;
  • 1332 - Robert of Taranto (1299-1364), son of Philip I;
  • 1346 - Louis of Taranto (1308-1362), son of Philip I, simultaneously king-consort of Naples;
  • 1364 - Philip II (1329-1374), son of Philip I, and titular Latin Emperor;
    • 1356 - Philip III, son of Philip II, died in his youth, the title returned to his father;

[edit] Baux (Del Balzo) dynasty

[edit] Welf or Brunswick (Este del Guelfo) dynasty

[edit] Orsini dynasty

[edit] See also