# Charles II of Naples > king of Naples from 1284 to 1309 **Wikidata**: [Q314331](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314331) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_II_of_Naples) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charles-ii-of-naples ## Summary Charles II of Naples was a monarch who ruled as King of Naples from 1284 until his death in 1309. As a member of the House of Anjou, he governed the Kingdom of Naples during its formative years following the Sicilian Vespers rebellion of 1282, which split the Kingdom of Sicily into two distinct entities. His reign helped establish the political and administrative foundations of a sovereign state that endured for over five centuries. ## Biography - Born: 1254 - Died: May 5, 1309 - Nationality: Neapolitan (Kingdom of Naples) - Known for: King of Naples from 1284 to 1309 - Occupation: Monarch - Citizenship: Kingdom of Naples - Aliases: Charles II, Carlos II el Cojo ## Contributions Charles II of Naples served as monarch of the Kingdom of Naples during a critical formative period following its establishment on March 30, 1282. As a ruler of the Angevin dynasty, he governed the continental Italian territories after the Sicilian Vespers rebellion split the Kingdom of Sicily, with the island of Sicily falling under Aragonese control while Naples remained under Angevin rule. His 25-year reign beginning in 1284 helped solidify the Kingdom of Naples as a sovereign state with its own governmental institutions, legal systems, and administrative structures. The kingdom operated with Naples as its capital and political center, developing administrative divisions that would later include provinces such as Terra d'Otranto, Terra di Bari, Capitanata, and Abruzzo Citra. His reign coincided with significant religious construction in Naples, including the Basilica of St. Dominic (established 1283) and Naples Cathedral (construction began 1272). ## FAQs **Who was Charles II of Naples?** Charles II of Naples was a monarch of the House of Anjou who ruled the Kingdom of Naples from 1284 until his death on May 5, 1309. He was also known by the alias "Carlos II el Cojo." **What was the Kingdom of Naples?** The Kingdom of Naples was an Italian state that existed from 1282 to 1816, established after the Sicilian Vespers rebellion separated the Kingdom of Sicily into continental and island territories. It was eventually merged with the Kingdom of Sicily to form the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1816. **When did Charles II of Naples reign and what was his dynasty?** Charles II reigned from 1284 to 1309 as a member of the House of Anjou, a French dynasty that initially ruled the Kingdom of Naples following its separation from Sicily. ## Why They Matter Charles II of Naples stands as one of the foundational rulers of the Kingdom of Naples, a sovereign state that endured for over five centuries and played a crucial role in Mediterranean and European politics. His reign during the kingdom's earliest years helped establish the political and administrative structures that would govern southern Italy for generations. As a member of the Angevin dynasty, he represented French influence in Italian affairs during a period of intense political transformation following the Sicilian Vespers rebellion. The Kingdom of Naples that Charles II governed became a major center of Renaissance culture, intellectual life, and artistic achievement in subsequent centuries, housing figures like philosopher Giambattista Vico, painter Luca Giordano, and composer Giovanni Paisiello. The administrative divisions and governmental frameworks established during his era provided the foundation for the kingdom's long-term stability, maintaining complex political relationships with major European powers including France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire. ## Notable For - King of Naples from 1284 to 1309 - Member of the House of Anjou (Angevin dynasty) - Ruled during the formative early period of the Kingdom of Naples following its establishment in 1282 - Governed following the Sicilian Vespers rebellion that split the Kingdom of Sicily - Born in 1254, died May 5, 1309 - Known by aliases "Charles II" and "Carlos II el Cojo" - Contemporary of significant religious construction in Naples, including the Basilica of St. Dominic (1283) and Naples Cathedral (1272) ## Body ### Early Life and Background Charles II of Naples was born in 1254 into the House of Anjou, a powerful French dynasty of the Capetian line that had established control over territories in southern Italy. His birth occurred during a period when his family was consolidating power in the Italian peninsula. ### Reign as King of Naples Charles II assumed the throne in 1284, just two years after the Kingdom of Naples was established as a distinct political entity on March 30, 1282. The kingdom was formed following the Sicilian Vespers rebellion, an uprising against Angevin French rule that resulted in the separation of the Kingdom of Sicily: continental territories became the Kingdom of Naples under Angevin control, while the island of Sicily fell under Aragonese rule. His reign spanned 25 years, from 1284 until his death on May 5, 1309. During this period, he ruled as a sovereign monarch over territories encompassing significant portions of southern Italy, including the Campania region centered on Naples. ### The Kingdom of Naples During His Rule The Kingdom of Naples during Charles II's reign operated as a sovereign state with its own governmental institutions, legal systems, and administrative structures. The capital city of Naples served as the political and administrative center, housing the royal court and major governmental institutions. The kingdom developed administrative divisions that included provinces such as Terra d'Otranto, Terra di Bari, Capitanata, and Abruzzo Citra. As monarch, Charles II held supreme authority, supported by various noble houses and administrative officials. ### Religious and Cultural Developments Charles II's reign coincided with significant religious construction in Naples. The Basilica of St. Dominic was established in 1283, and Naples Cathedral had begun construction in 1272. Religious institutions played a significant role in the kingdom's social and political life, with the Catholic Church maintaining a strong presence while the kingdom preserved its administrative independence. ### Political Context and Dynastic Relations As a member of the House of Anjou, Charles II was part of a dynasty competing with other European powers for control of Italian territories. The Angevin rule represented French influence in southern Italy during a period of complex political relationships involving the Crown of Aragon, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Papal States. ### Administrative and Economic Systems During Charles II's reign, the Kingdom of Naples developed administrative systems to support governance. The kingdom's economy relied on agriculture, manufacturing, and trade, with its ports serving as commercial hubs connecting Italy with other Mediterranean regions. The kingdom's strategic coastal position made it a natural center for maritime commerce. ### Legacy Charles II died on May 5, 1309. The Kingdom of Naples he governed endured until December 12, 1816, when it merged with the Kingdom of Sicily to form the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. His reign established patterns of governance that characterized the kingdom through successive dynastic changes, including periods under the House of Aragon and the House of Bourbon, until the kingdom's eventual incorporation into the modern Italian state. ## References 1. Source 2. The Peerage 3. general catalog of BnF 4. Virtual International Authority File 5. [Source](https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/c/carlos_ii_el_cojo.htm) 6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 7. CERL Thesaurus 8. Enciclopedia Treccani 9. Dizionario di Storia 10. FactGrid 11. Sejm-Wielki.pl