Giovanni Antonio Del Balzo Orsini

Giovanni Antonio Orsini del Balzo (also Giannantonio; * 1386 or 1393; † November 15, 1463 in Altamura ) was Prince of Taranto, Duke of Bari, Count of Lecce, Acerra, Soleto and Conversano, 1433 Count of Matera and from 1453 Count Ugento.

He was the son of Raimondo Orsini del Balzo, Prince of Taranto, and Mary of Enghien, heiress of the house of Brienne.

Prince Giannantonio served as the sergeant major of the kingdom of Naples. In 1419 he married Anna Colonna from the house Colonna, daughter of Lorenzo Onofrio Colonna.

It quickly became clear that Giovanni would be replaced by his siblings. His niece Isabella of Clermont was a pawn in the plans of their royal master. She was probably the heiress remarkable feudal owners in southern Italy, and by the royal engagement was in 1444 with Ferdinand I of Naples, the illegitimate son of King Alfonso V of Aragon, married. Alfons had asserted in succession war 1435-1442 in southern Italy against his rival René I of Anjou.

At will of the king Alfonso V was Isabella's husband, Ferdinand I of Naples, 1458 declared the king of its conquered territories ( Isabella thus became wife of the king ), and thus the King of Naples and Jerusalem.

Giovanni Antonio was in 1463 in Altamura, in the present province of Bari, strangled and left no legitimate heirs. King Ferdinand I confiscated most of its countries. On the throne was succeeded by his niece Isabella de Claremont, who died in 1465. Her legacy was her eldest son Alfonso II of Naples ( 1448-1495 ). From 1494 to 1495 this was King of Naples and Jerusalem. His wife was Hippolyte Maria Sforza of Milan. He was buried in a mausoleum, which was built in the St. Catherine 's Church in Galatina.

Prince Giovanni had illegitimate children: