Noble family Orsini family Spouse Mary of Enghien (m. 1384) Father Nicola Orsini Parents Nicola Orsini | Mother Giovanna di Sabran Name Raimondo Balzo | |
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Buried Cathedral of Taranto [lost] Died January 17, 1406, Taranto, Italy Children Giovanni Antonio Del Balzo Orsini, Catherine of Taranto, Countess of Copertino Great grandchildren Beatrice of Naples, Alfonso II of Naples, Eleanor of Naples, Duchess of Ferrara, Frederick of Naples | ||
Grandchildren Isabella of Clermont | ||
Raimondo Del Balzo Orsini (also known as Raimondello; 1361 - 17 January 1406) was a nobleman from the Kingdom of Naples. He was Count of Soleto (1382), Duke of Benevento (1385–1401), Prince of Taranto (1393–1406), Count of Lecce (1401–06), Duke of Bari, Grand Constable of the Kingdom of Naples, Gonfalonier of the Holy Roman Church (1385, confirmed in 1399 together with the principality of Taranto). He was a member of the influential Orsini family of Rome.
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Biography
Raimondello was born at Nocera Inferiore, the second son of Nicola Orsini (1331–1399), 3rd Count of Nola, grand Justiciar and also Grand Chancellor of the Kingdom of Naples, and his second wife Maria Del Balzo (of the counts of Soleto). His grandfather was Roberto Orsini di Nola (1295–1345), 2nd Count of Nola, Grand Justiciar of Naples. His grandmother was the heiress Sveva Del Balzo (born in the first years of 14th century), Countess of Soleto, heiress of des Baux. The family is later known as del Balzo Orsini. His full brother Roberto was 4th Count of Nola, died 1400 and left only illegitimate issue, however natural son inherited County of Nola and became Grand Justiciar. One of his sisters, Sveva, married Francesco Del Balzo, Duke of Andria. His father and grandfather also held the title of Senator of Rome.
Having been deprived of the Del Balzo heritage, he went to Eastern Europe to fight as a crusader. However, at his return to Italy he reconquered those lands. In 1384, thanks to the help of Louis I of Anjou (whom Raimond has repeatedly supported), he married Mary of Enghien, Countess of Lecce. After the death of Louis, he remained loyal to the Angevines in their struggle against the house of Durazzo. However, in 1398, he sided for Ladislaus of Naples, a member of the Durazzo, obtaining the investiture of the principality of Taranto, which he conquered in 1399.
Raimondello at that point was the richest Italian feudal lord of his era. The principality of Taranto included half of the Kingdom of Naples, and the Prince ruled almost independently from the king. Spurred by Pope Innocent VII, in 1406 Raimondo rebelled against Ladislaus, but died soon afterwards.
Raimondello ordered the construction of the church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria in Galatina, a masterpiece of Franciscan art. He is buried in the church, together with his son and heir Giovanni Antonio.
Family
Raimondello and Mary had the following children: