The King of Naples who ruled from 1496 to 1501, known for his brief but tumultuous reign marked by conflicts with France and the Pope. He was eventually deposed and exiled.
Frederick IV, sometimes referred to as Frederick of Aragon, was the last king of Naples from the Neapolitan branch of the House of Trastámara, reigning from 1496 to 1501. He was a pivotal figure in the complex web of royal alliances and power struggles that shaped the fate of southern Italy during the late 15th century.
Born on April 19, 1452, in Naples, Frederick IV was the second son of Ferdinand I and his first wife, Isabella of Clermont, Princess of Taranto. He was baptized in Castel Capuano, with Emperor Frederick III as his godfather. His father, Ferdinand I, ascended to the throne of Naples in 1458, and Frederick received the best education, with mentors such as Andrea da Castelforte, Giovanni Elisio Calenzio, Girolamo Baldassare, and Offeriano Forti.
In 1464, Frederick was tasked with leading an escort for Ippolita Maria Sforza, eldest daughter of the Duke of Milan and fiancée of his brother Alfonso, from Milan to Naples. During this journey, he received the golden rose from Pope Paul II in Rome and was received in Siena, Florence, and Milan, where he stayed until June 7, 1465.
After the early death of his nephew Ferdinand II in 1496, Frederick succeeded him as the King of Naples, at the age of 44. However, his reign was marked by the claim of King Louis XII of France to Naples and Sicily, which was supported by Frederick's famous cousin, King Ferdinand II of Aragon.
In 1501, Louis XII and Ferdinand II of Aragon deposed Frederick, and Naples initially went to Louis. However, a falling out between the two led to Naples being seized by Ferdinand in 1504, marking the end of the Neapolitan branch of the House of Trastámara. The kingdom of Naples remained part of the Spanish possessions until the end of the War of the Spanish Succession.
Frederick IV's reign marked the end of an era in Naples, as the kingdom became part of the Spanish possessions. His legacy is a testament to the complex power struggles and alliances that shaped the fate of southern Italy during the Renaissance period.
Despite his short reign, Frederick IV left an indelible mark on the history of Naples, and his story serves as a reminder of the intricate web of royal alliances and power struggles that defined the Renaissance era.
Born in 1490
A powerful French nobleman who ruled as Constable of France and led the country's army during the Italian Wars, known for his military prowess and strategic alliances.
Born in 1438
Ruler of Savoy from 1496 to 1497, known for his brief but tumultuous reign marked by conflicts with neighboring states and internal power struggles.
Born in 1490
A powerful French nobleman who ruled as Constable of France and led the country's army during the Italian Wars, known for his military prowess and strategic alliances.
