James of Baux

Jacques des Baux ( Italian: Giacomo del Balzo, German. Jacob of Baux, † July 7, 1383 in Taranto ) was a Prince of Taranto and Achaea, and Titularkaiser of Constantinople Opel. He was the son of François des Baux (Francesco del Balzo, † 1422 ) and his second wife Marguerite d' Anjou- Taranto.

Jacques came from the Baux family was originally from Provence. His ancestors came in the middle of the 13th century with Charles of Anjou to southern Italy and increased in the Kingdom of Naples to become the leading nobility. The relationship of the family to the Crown took place in the chaotic reign of Queen Joan I. However, a break after Jacques father was exiled in 1374 by the Queen of Naples.

About his mother Jacques himself was related to the Anjou and after his uncle Philip II of Taranto, died childless in 1374 was Jacques his principal heir. He got the Principality of Taranto and the meaningless title of Emperor of Constantinople Opel. The Principality of Achaia but the uncle had bequeathed to the Queen, what Jacques did not accept and entered the fight against the Queen. In the battle for the principality he campaigned among other things, the mercenaries of the Navarrese Company at ( 1380 ) who ravaged the Peloponnese. After the assassination of Queen Johanna 1382 Jacques was recognized by the barons of Achaia, but he had now against the murderer and successor of Queen, King Charles III. , And whose last husband, Otto of Brunswick fight.

Jacques died a year later and was buried in San Cataldo. He was married to Agnes of Anjou- Durazzo, but had no children. His sister Antonia was with King Frederick III. married from Sicily, but also had no children. Therefore Jacques transferred before his death, his rights to Duke Louis I of Anjou, yet his legacy should be competitive. In Achaia, the Navarrese Company took over the power and Taranto raised his cousins ​​from the family Orsini del Balzo a claim. The Emperor hung title became extinct with his death even though he forgave him to the Duke of Anjou, but, as his descendants, never led him.