Charles Martel, Duke of Calabria

Charles Martel, Duke of Calabria (Italian: Carlo Martello) is a name and title shared by two short-lived heirs to the throne of the Kingdom of Naples.

Son of Charles, Duke of Calabria

Charles Martel (13 April 1327 – 21 April 1327) was the third child and first son of Charles, Duke of Calabria, heir of Robert, King of Naples and Yolande of Aragon and his wife Marie of Valois, a niece of King Philip IV le bel of France.

At the time of his birth in Florence, his father Charles had survived his own brothers. The newborn Duke of Calabria and his father were the only living, legitimate, male-line descendants of his paternal grandfather, Robert, King of Naples. Charles also had a daughter, Maria, who would die aged two in 1328. The heir presumptive to the throne was Philip I, Prince of Taranto, the son of Charles II of Naples.

The young Duke died only eight days after his birth, in Florence. His death left Charles again childless and the Prince of Taranto again heir to the throne. His younger sister, Joanna, would not be born until 1328. Joanna eventually became Queen of Naples — a younger sister to the Duke was born after his father died, in 1329.

Son of Joan I of Naples

Charles Martel, Duke of Calabria (25 December 1345 – 10 May 1348) was the only son of Joan I of Naples and her consort, Andrew, Duke of Calabria and nephew of his aforementioned namesake.

At the time of his birth in Naples, Joan had survived her own brothers, she only had a younger sister. The newborn Duke of Calabria and his mother were the only living, royal, legitimate descendants of his paternal great-grandfather Robert, King of Naples. The heir presumptive since was Charles of Durazzo. Charles was betrothed to Joanna, Duchess of Durazzo, his cousin in 1347. In February of 1348, the little Duke was thrown in jail in Hungary.

The young Duke died only three years after his birth, in Hungary, during his imprisonment. He only had two younger sisters, born after his death , both of whom predeceased their mother aged fifteen and three years old, respectively. His death left Joanna with no legitimate children and the Duke of Durazzo again heir to the throne. After Joan died, the Duke of Durazzo became king under the name of Charles III of Naples. The infant Duke of Calabria was buried in the Basilica of Székesfehérvár.

References and Sources

• Counts and Kings of Naples & Sicily 1072 – 1409