Joanna Ii

Related Category: Italian History: Biographies

1371–1435, queen of Naples (1414–35), sister and successor of Lancelot. 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 Angevin claimant to Naples, Louis III, Joanna asked the aid of Alfonso V 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 René. Joanna II was the last Angevin to reign in Naples; at her death Alfonso seized power, and René's claim was never secured.