Ladislaus of Naples

Ladislaus (* July 1376; † August 6, 1414 in Naples) was King of Naples since 1386, Croatian - Hungarian anti-king and titular King of Jerusalem, since 1406 also Prince of Taranto.

He was the only son of King Charles III. of Naples, who also briefly King of Hungary was as Charles II, and was killed in the battle for the Hungarian crown in 1386. Ladislaus was at that time nine years old, so his rule initially was under the regency of his mother Margaret of Durazzo. 1390-1399 his kingdom of Ludwig II was fought by Anjou, who had the right to the throne of his father, Louis I of Anjou, the adopted son of Queen Joanna I inherited.

Ladislaus was an experienced politician and military, which benefited from anarchy within Italy, to greatly expand his kingdom and his power. In particular, he was able to bring the papacy under Innocent VII (1404-1406) under his control.

From 1390 he also raised claim to Dalmatia, Croatia and Hungary, where the claims of the Emperor Sigismund, the husband of Queen Mary of Hungary were opposed. Although he was crowned in 1403 in Zadar to Croatian-Hungarian king, but militarily, he could not prevail against Sigismund. His legal rights to Dalmatia he sold in 1409 for 100,000 ducats to the Republic of Venice.

Ladislaus was married three times. His first wife was since 1390 Constance of Clermont, daughter of Count Manfred, from whom he was divorced in 1392. His second wife was since February 12, 1402 Mary, daughter of James I, King of Cyprus (* 1382, † September 4, 1404 ). His third wife was Maria d' Enghien († May 9, 1446 ), daughter of Johann. Since he had children from none of these marriages, inherited after his death, his sister Johanna II to the throne.