Ivan Frankopan

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Ivan Frankopan (Frangipani - Frankapan) was also known as Ivanish ruled as Ban of Croatia (1432-1436). He was one of the nine sons survived by Nicholas Frangipani (Frankopan). When wealthy Prince Ivanish (Ivan - John) Nelipich who was the last male member of his illustrious clan died in 1434, the problem of inheritance became acute. According to his will, his daughter, Princess Catherine Nelipich Ivanish, his only daughter was to inherit all of his extensive possessions from the Velebit ranges to Tsetina.

Her patrimony was argued by her husband and eventually shared by her husband, Ivanish (Ivan-John) Frangipani (Frankopan-Frankapan). In spite of the legality of this bequest, and his consent to the marriage upon request of the late Ivanish (Ivan-John) Nelipich, King Sigismund denounced the testament and demanded that Ivan Frangipani turn over to him the legacy of his wife's inheritance. When Prince Ivanish (Ivan) Frangipani refused to obey, King Sigismund proclaimed him a rebel and deprived him of all honors and possessions. the he ordered the Banus of Slavonia Matko Talovats (1435-1444), to subdue him by force. Thus in 1436 civil war broke out in Croatia. However it was short lived.

Ivan Frangipani sought the assistance of the Pope. With the support of his good friend and former employer Eric of Pomerania who became King of Sweden, he triumphed over King Sigismund. Suddenly Ivanish (Ivan-John) Frangipani died and this halted hostilities and provided a decisive victory for King Sigismund. It was rumored that the King and sent an agent to poison Ivanish (Ivan-John) Frankopan. King Sigismund further gloated over his victory by causing further damages to the Frangipani family when he gave away the legacy of Princess Catherine Nelipich, to Banus Matko Talovats and his brothers, Peter, Frank, and John.

When the Frangipani family came to the aid of the Nelipich's family who were trying to protect the property from the acts of the vengeful sneaky King Sigismund, he spread propaganda that Ivanish (Ivan -John) Frangipani had poisoned his Father-in-law, Ivanish (Ivan-John) Nelipich and Radić a close relative to the Frangipani family who was Uncle of the last Croatian-Bosnian King Stjepan Tomasević in 1463 and whose family members had intermarried with the Frangipani (Frankopan). He claimed that this was how the family had acquired the vast wealth. He spread the ugly rumor that he had not only poisoned but robbed them of their wealth.

(Concerning relation between Ivan-John Frankopan and king Eric of Pommern, look after Mladen Ibler: Ivan Anz Frankopan, Erik of Pommern. More reliable informations are given!)

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