Joanna II of Naples

Joanna II of Naples, born on June twenty-fifth, thirteen seventy-three in Zadar, was a formidable politician who reigned as Queen of Naples from fourteen fourteen until her death in fourteen thirty-five. Her ascension to the throne followed the demise of her brother, Ladislaus, marking a significant moment in the history of the Capetian House of Anjou, as her reign ultimately led to the extinction of its senior line.

Throughout her rule, Joanna faced considerable political turbulence, characterized by shifting alliances and personal scandals. Her marriages to William of Austria and James II of La Marche were notable events that shaped her reign. Joanna adeptly navigated the complex rivalries between the Angevin and Aragonese claimants to the throne of Naples, showcasing her political acumen.

In a strategic move, she designated Rene of Anjou as her heir, a decision that would influence the future of the kingdom. The latter years of her reign saw a period of relative peace and political stability, a contrast to the earlier chaos that defined her rule. Joanna's death in fourteen thirty-five marked the end of the Angevin dynasty's rule in Naples, paving the way for the Valois-Anjou succession.