# Charles III of Naples

> King of Naples (1345-1386) and King of Hungary (1385-1386)

**Wikidata**: [Q311861](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311861)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_III_of_Naples)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charles-iii-of-naples

## Summary

Charles III of Naples (also known as Charles of Durazzo or Carlo III) was a monarch who ruled as King of Naples from 1345 to 1386 and briefly as King of Hungary in 1385–1386. Born in January 1345, he was a member of the Capetian House of Anjou (also known as the House of Durazzo), a cadet branch of the French Capetian dynasty that ruled over the Kingdom of Naples. His brief dual reign over both kingdoms marked a significant moment in the political history of medieval Southern and Central Europe, as he sought to unite the Angevin claims to both thrones. He died on February 24, 1386, ending his short-lived claim to the Hungarian crown while leaving behind a complex legacy in Neapolitan politics.

## Biography

- **Born**: January 1345 (exact date unspecified)
- **Died**: February 24, 1386
- **Nationality**: Kingdom of Naples (subject of the Capetian House of Anjou)
- **Education**: Not specified in available source material
- **Known for**: Ruling both the Kingdom of Naples (1345–1386) and the Kingdom of Hungary (1385–1386); member of the Capetian House of Anjou (House of Durazzo)
- **Employer(s)**: N/A (monarch; ruled as sovereign)
- **Field(s)**: Politics, Monarchy, Royal Governance

## Contributions

As King of Naples (1345–1386), Charles III of Naples inherited a kingdom that had been established following the Sicilian Vespers rebellion in 1282, which separated the Kingdom of Sicily into two distinct entities. The Kingdom of Naples, ruled by the House of Anjou, was a significant political entity in southern Italy that would later merge with the Kingdom of Sicily in 1816 to form the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Charles III's reign spanned a period when the kingdom maintained complex political relationships with major European powers including France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire.

As King of Hungary (1385–1386), Charles III briefly held one of the oldest continuous state traditions in Europe, as Hungary had been founded as a unified kingdom in 1000 CE under King Stephen I. His claim to the Hungarian throne represented an attempt to unite the Angevin dynastic interests across Central and Southern Europe. Hungary at the time was a significant Central European power with strategic importance, bordered by seven countries and serving as a geographic and cultural bridge between Western and Eastern Europe.

Charles III's dual monarchy represented a unique historical moment where the Capetian House of Anjou sought to maintain and expand its influence across multiple kingdoms. The Kingdom of Naples during his reign was characterized by the complex political landscape of medieval Europe, with competing dynastic interests and frequent changes in sovereignty. His brief Hungarian reign in 1385–1386 came during a period of Hungarian history marked by dynastic struggles and the eventual consolidation of royal power following the kingdom's founding in 1000 CE.

## FAQs

**What was Charles III of Naples known for?**

Charles III of Naples was known for being a dual monarch who ruled both the Kingdom of Naples from 1345 to 1386 and the Kingdom of Hungary from 1385 to 1386, representing an attempt by the Capetian House of Anjou to unite their claims to both thrones during the late medieval period.

**How long did Charles III of Naples rule, and when did he die?**

Charles III of Naples ruled as King of Naples for approximately 41 years (1345–1386) and briefly as King of Hungary for about one year (1385–1386). He died on February 24, 1386, ending his brief Hungarian reign.

**What dynasty did Charles III of Naples belong to?**

Charles III of Naples belonged to the Capetian House of Anjou, also known as the House of Durazzo, a cadet branch of the French Capetian dynasty that ruled over the Kingdom of Naples following the Sicilian Vespers rebellion of 1282.

**What was the Kingdom of Naples during Charles III's reign?**

The Kingdom of Naples was an Italian state that existed from 1282 to 1816, established following the Sicilian Vespers rebellion. During Charles III's reign, it was ruled by the House of Anjou and served as a major political entity in southern Italy, maintaining complex relationships with France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire.

**What was the significance of Charles III's Hungarian kingship?**

Charles III's brief Hungarian kingship (1385–1386) represented an attempt by the Angevin dynasty to consolidate their claims to multiple thrones. Hungary, founded in 1000 CE, was one of Europe's oldest continuous kingdoms and occupied a strategically significant position in Central Europe, bordered by seven countries and serving as a bridge between Western and Eastern Europe.

## Why They Matter

Charles III of Naples matters in history because his brief dual reign represented a pivotal moment in the dynastic politics of medieval Europe. As a member of the Capetian House of Anjou, his attempt to rule both Naples and Hungary demonstrated the complex interconnections between European royal families during the late medieval period. The Kingdom of Naples during his reign was one of the longest-lasting independent Italian kingdoms, existing for over 500 years from 1282 to 1816, and served as a major center of Renaissance culture and learning in southern Italy.

His Hungarian reign, though brief, occurred during a formative period in Hungarian history. Hungary at the time was a significant Central European power with its capital at Budapest (though the capital was not formally established there until later in history), and the kingdom maintained complex relationships with neighboring powers. Charles III's claim to the Hungarian throne reflected the broader European dynastic struggles that shaped the continent's political development during the late medieval period.

The legacy of Charles III's reign is also connected to the broader history of the Kingdom of Naples, which played a crucial role in Mediterranean and European politics for over five centuries. The kingdom served as a crossroads of cultures, trade routes, and military campaigns, significantly influencing the political landscape of the Italian peninsula. Charles III's rule occurred during a period when the kingdom was navigating the complex political relationships between France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire, all of which sought to influence Italian politics.

## Notable For

- Ruling two kingdoms simultaneously: King of Naples (1345–1386) and King of Hungary (1385–1386)
- Being a member of the Capetian House of Anjou (House of Durazzo), a prominent European royal dynasty
- Governing the Kingdom of Naples during a period of complex medieval European politics
- Brief attempt to unite Angevin dynastic claims across Southern and Central Europe
- Death on February 24, 1386, ending his dual monarchy

## Body

### Early Life and Dynastic Background

Charles III of Naples was born in January 1345 into the Capetian House of Anjou, also known as the House of Durazzo, a cadet branch of the French Capetian dynasty. The House of Anjou had established control over the Kingdom of Naples following the Sicilian Vespers rebellion of 1282, which resulted in the separation of the Kingdom of Sicily into two distinct entities. The Kingdom of Naples was created for the continental territories while Sicily came under Aragonese control. Charles III's family lineage traced back to Charles I of Anjou, who had established Angevin rule over southern Italy in the 13th century.

The political context of Charles III's birth was marked by the complex dynastic struggles that characterized medieval European politics. The Kingdom of Naples during this period was ruled by the House of Anjou and faced constant pressure from competing European powers. The kingdom's strategic location in southern Italy made it a constant target of competing interests, particularly from the French monarchy, the Spanish Aragonese, and the Holy Roman Empire. Charles III grew up in this environment of political intrigue and dynastic competition, which would shape his later reign as king.

### Reign as King of Naples (1345–1386)

Charles III of Naples ascended to the throne in 1345, inheriting a kingdom that had been established following the Sicilian Vespers rebellion. The Kingdom of Naples was an Italian state that existed from 1282 to 1816, serving as a major political entity in southern Italy for over five centuries. During his reign, Charles III governed a territory that encompassed the core Campania region centered on Naples and extended to various provinces including Terra d'Otranto, Terra di Bari, Capitanata, and Abruzzo Citra.

The capital city of Naples served as the political and administrative center of the kingdom, housing the royal court and major governmental institutions. The kingdom operated as a sovereign state with its own governmental institutions, legal systems, and administrative structures. Charles III held supreme authority as monarch, supported by various noble houses and administrative officials. Important noble families associated with the kingdom during this period included the House of Acquaviva, House of Carafa, House of Avalos, House of Sanseverino, House of Ruffo, and House of Caracciolo, all of which wielded significant political influence within the kingdom's borders.

The Kingdom of Naples during Charles III's reign maintained complex political relationships with major European powers. The kingdom was frequently involved in military conflicts due to its strategic location and the competing interests of European powers. The kingdom's strategic importance made it a constant target of competing European forces, leading to numerous wars and changes in control. Charles III's government had to navigate these complex relationships while maintaining the stability of his realm.

### Reign as King of Hungary (1385–1386)

In addition to his Neapolitan throne, Charles III also claimed and briefly held the crown of Hungary from 1385 to 1386. This dual monarchy represented a significant moment in the history of both kingdoms, as it marked an attempt by the Capetian House of Anjou to unite their claims to both thrones. Hungary at the time was a significant Central European power that had been founded as a unified kingdom in 1000 CE under King Stephen I, making it one of Europe's oldest continuous state traditions.

The Kingdom of Hungary occupied a strategically significant position in Central Europe, bordered by seven countries including Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. The kingdom served as a geographic and cultural bridge between Western and Eastern Europe. Charles III's claim to the Hungarian throne came during a period of Hungarian history marked by dynastic struggles and the complex politics of Central Europe.

However, Charles III's Hungarian reign was brief, lasting only about one year. He died on February 24, 1386, ending his attempt to rule both kingdoms simultaneously. His death marked the end of the Angevin claim to the Hungarian throne through this particular line of succession, though the broader dynastic relationships between European royal families would continue to shape the continent's politics for centuries to come.

### Political Context and Relationships

The dual reign of Charles III occurred during a period of intense political complexity in medieval Europe. The Kingdom of Naples was part of the broader political landscape of the Italian peninsula, where various powers vied for influence and control. The kingdom had connections to the Crown of Aragon at certain periods, reflecting the complex political relationships of medieval and early modern Europe.

During Charles III's reign, the Kingdom of Naples maintained its own legal codes and judicial systems, which were influenced by both Italian and Spanish legal traditions. The kingdom's governance included various administrative divisions, each with their own local administrators and systems. The capital city of Naples served as the political and administrative center, housing the royal court and major governmental institutions.

The relationship between the Kingdom of Naples and Hungary during Charles III's dual reign represented a unique moment in European dynastic history. Both kingdoms were significant political entities in their respective regions—the Kingdom of Naples serving as a major power in southern Italy and the Mediterranean, while Hungary occupied a crucial position in Central Europe. Charles III's attempt to rule both kingdoms demonstrated the interconnected nature of European royal politics during the late medieval period.

### Death and Legacy

Charles III of Naples died on February 24, 1386, ending his brief dual reign over both Naples and Hungary. His death marked the end of his particular line of Angevin succession in Hungary, though the broader dynastic politics of Europe would continue to involve claims to multiple thrones and territories. The Kingdom of Naples continued to be ruled by the House of Anjou and later other dynasties, eventually merging with the Kingdom of Sicily in 1816 to form the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

The legacy of Charles III's reign is connected to the broader history of the Kingdom of Naples, which played a crucial role in Mediterranean and European politics for over five centuries. The kingdom served as a major center of Renaissance culture and learning in southern Italy, attracting artists, philosophers, and scientists who contributed to the intellectual flowering of the period. Charles III's rule occurred during a formative period in the kingdom's long history, which would see it become one of the longest-lasting independent Italian kingdoms.

### Historical Significance

Charles III of Naples represents a significant figure in the dynastic politics of medieval Europe. His brief dual reign over both Naples and Hungary demonstrated the complex interconnections between European royal families during the late medieval period. The attempt to unite the Angevin claims to both thrones, though ultimately unsuccessful, reflected the broader patterns of dynastic politics that characterized European history during this era.

The Kingdom of Naples during Charles III's reign was a significant political entity that maintained complex relationships with major European powers. The kingdom's strategic location in southern Italy made it a crossroads of cultures, trade routes, and military campaigns, significantly influencing the political landscape of the Italian peninsula. Charles III's governance of this kingdom during a period of European political complexity represents an important chapter in the history of medieval Southern Europe.

His Hungarian reign, though brief, occurred during a formative period in Hungarian history. Hungary at the time was one of Europe's oldest continuous kingdoms, with a rich political and cultural heritage that stretched back to its founding in 1000 CE. Charles III's brief claim to the Hungarian throne represents a unique moment in the complex dynastic politics of Central Europe during the late medieval period.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. The Peerage
3. [[Hungary’s Secular Archontology 1301-1457.]](https://adt.arcanum.com/hu/view/Engel_MoKozepkoriAdattara_Archontologia/?pg=38&layout=s&query=%22Durazz%C3%B3i+K%C3%A1roly%22)
4. [[Hungary’s Secular Archontology 1301-1457.]](https://adt.arcanum.com/hu/view/Engel_MoKozepkoriAdattara_Archontologia/?pg=32&layout=s&query=%22Durazz%C3%B3i+K%C3%A1roly%22)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
8. Enciclopedia Treccani
9. Dizionario di Storia
10. Sejm-Wielki.pl