Robert, Prince of Taranto
Robert II of Taranto (1299/1319 – 10 September 1364), of the Angevin family, Prince of Taranto (1332–1346), King of Albania (1332–1364), Prince of Achaea (1333–1346), Titular Emperor of Constantinople (as Robert II, 1343/1346-1364).
He was the oldest surviving son of Prince Philip I of Taranto and Empress Catherine II of Valois. His paternal grandparents were King Charles II of Naples and Maria of Hungary. His maternal grandparents were Count Charles of Valois and his second wife, Empress Catherine I of Courtenay.
In 1332, as a result of an exchange with his uncle John of Gravina, Robert became Prince of Achaea. Because of his youth, authority was effectively exercised by his mother Catherine II of Valois until her death in 1346. At that point Robert inherited the throne of the Latin Empire, and was recognized as emperor by the Latin states of Greece. His actual power, such as it was, remained based upon his authority as prince of Achaea. In Naples, on 9 September 1347 he married Marie of Bourbon (1315 – 1387 in Naples and buried there), Princess of Achaia, the daughter of Louis I, Duke of Bourbon (widow of Guy de Lusignan (c. 1316 or 1315-1316 – soon before 24 September 1343 and buried in Nicosia), Constable of Cyprus (1336 – 1338) and Titular Prince of Galilee ca 1320), but the marriage was childless. When he died on 10 October 1364, his widow attempted to keep the principality for herself and her son from her previous marriage. However, Robert's younger brother Philip II of Taranto succeeded as the legitimate heir. He died in Naples and was buried there.
Ancestry
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| Robert, Prince of Taranto House of Anjou-Taranto Cadet branch of the Capetian House of Anjou Born: 1299/1319 Died: 10 September 1364 | ||
| Preceded by Philip I of Taranto |
Lord of the Kingdom of Albania 1332 |
Succeeded by John of Gravina as Duke of Durazzo |
| Prince of Taranto 1332–1346 |
Succeeded by Louis of Taranto | |
| Preceded by Catherine of Valois |
— TITULAR — Latin Emperor of Constantinople 1346–1364 |
Succeeded by Philip II of Taranto |
| Preceded by John of Gravina |
Prince of Achaea 1332–1364 | |
| Count Palatine of Cephalonia and Zakynthos 1336–1357 |
Succeeded by Leonardo I Tocco | |
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