Giovanni Antonio del Balzo Orsini

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

Related Topics:
1386 - 1393 - November 15 - 1463 - Altamura - Prince of Taranto - Bari - Lecce - Acerra - Soleto - Conversano - Matera - Ugento

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Related Topics:
Raimondo del Balzo Orsini - Mary of Enghien - Brienne

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Prince Gianantonio acted as the Grand Constable of the Kingdom of Naples. He also became Duke of Bari.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1419, Gianantonio married Anna di Colonna, daughter of lord Lorenzo Onofrio Colonna.

Related Topics:
1419 - Anna di Colonna - Lorenzo Onofrio Colonna

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Quite early, it was evident that Giovanni would be succeeded by the issue of his siblings. His niece Isabella of Clermont was a pawn in the plans of their royal masters. She was the heiress presumptive of remarkable feudal possessions in Southern Italy, and by royal intervention was married in 1444 to Ferrante di Aragona, bastard son of king Alfonso V of Aragon, who had conquered Southern Italy from its Angevin kings in 1430s and 1440s.

Related Topics:
Isabella of Clermont - 1444 - Ferrante di Aragona - Alfonso V of Aragon - Angevin

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1458 Isabella's husband became, by the will of King Alfonso, King of his conquered territories (and Isabella became queen consort), and as such used the title King of Naples and Jerusalem.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Giovanni Antonio died in 1463 without legitimate issue as rebel, strangled in Altamura and the king Ferrante confiscated most of his lands. His niece Isabella brought the fiefs to her husband King Ferrante. Isabella died soon afterwards, in 1465. Her heir was her eldest son, the future Alfonso II of Naples (1448-1495). Used the title King of Naples and Jerusalem during his reign (1494-95). His wife was Hippolyte Mary Sforza of Milan.

Related Topics:
Alfonso II of Naples - Sforza - Milan

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Prince John had illegitimate children:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Caterina, Countess of Conversano, Signora di Casamassima e Turi. Married 1456 Giuliantonio Acquaviva d?Aragona, 7th Duke of Atri.
• Maria Conquesta (d after 1487), Countess of Ugento, Signora di Nardò e Castro from 1463. Married c 1463 Angilberto del Balzo, Count of Tricase and 1st Duke of Nardo.
• Margherita, married Antonio Centelles, Count of Catanzaro and Justiciar of Calabria.
• Francesca, married Jacopo Sanseverino, Count of Saponara.
• son Bertoldo (d after 1488), Baron of Salice. Some issue. Count of Lecce 1463-64.
• an illegitimate daughter (whose name is unknown), married Giacomo di Sanseverino, Count of Mileto. Apparently that marriage did not produce surviving issue.