Joanna II
Joanna II,
1371–1435, queen of Naples (1414–35), sister and successor of LancelotLancelotor Ladislaus
, c.1376–1414, king of Naples (1386–1414), son and successor of Charles III. Almost his entire reign was consumed by his struggle with the Angevin rival king of Naples, Louis II, and with Louis's ally, the antipope John XXIII (see
..... Click the link for more information. . The intrigues of her favorites kept her court in turmoil. Her second husband, James of Bourbon, tried to seize power but was imprisoned in 1416. Threatened (1420) by the AngevinAngevin
[Fr.,=of Anjou], name of two medieval dynasties originating in France. The first ruled over parts of France and over Jerusalem and England; the second ruled over parts of France and over Naples, Hungary, and Poland, with a claim to Jerusalem.
..... Click the link for more information. claimant to Naples, Louis IIILouis III,
1403–34, king of Naples (1417–34; rival claimant to Joanna II), duke of Anjou, count of Provence, son and successor of Louis II. He invaded Naples in 1420.
..... Click the link for more information. , Joanna asked the aid of Alfonso VAlfonso V
(Alfonso the Magnanimous), 1396–1458, king of Aragón and Sicily (1416–58) and of Naples (1443–58), count of Barcelona. He was the son of Ferdinand I, whom he succeeded in Aragón and Sicily.
..... Click the link for more information. of Aragón in expelling Louis; she adopted (1421) Alfonso as her heir. After Alfonso attempted to take over Naples she transferred (1423) the adoption to Louis. Louis died (1434) after regaining most of Naples, and Joanna adopted his brother RenéRené
, 1409–80, king of Naples (1435–80; rival claimant to Alfonso V of Aragón and Ferdinand I of Naples), duke of Anjou, Bar, and Lorraine, count of Provence. He was also called René of Anjou and Good King René.
..... Click the link for more information. . Joanna II was the last Angevin to reign in Naples; at her death Alfonso seized power, and René's claim was never secured.