William II, Duke of Athens

William II, Duke of Athens, born in the year 1312, was the third son of Frederick III of Sicily and Eleanor of Anjou. He ascended to the Duchy of Athens following the untimely death of his elder brother Manfred on 9 November 1317. During his minority, the governance of his Greek territories was entrusted to his illegitimate elder brother, Alfonso Frederick, who expanded the Catalan domains by adding the Duchy of Neopatria in 1319.

In 1330, Alfonso returned from Greece, leading William to cede the counties of Malta and Gozo to him, with Nicola Lanza taking over his responsibilities in Greece. William's personal life took a significant turn in 1335 when he married María Álvarez de Jérica, a descendant of the notable Roger of Lauria. This union, however, was conducted without papal dispensation, as both John XXII and Benedict XII sought to limit the influence of William's father.

Two years later, following the death of his mother Eleanor, daughter of Charles II of Naples, William inherited the Principality of Taranto, the county of Calatafimi, the honour of Monte Sant'Angelo, and various castles and lands in Noto, Spaccaforno, Capo Passero, and Avola. Tragically, William's life was cut short when he passed away on 22 August 1338, before his mother.

In his final acts, he bequeathed his library to the Dominicans of Palermo, leaving a lasting legacy in the cathedral where he was laid to rest.