Rene I of Naples - Definition

René I of Naples (René I the Good, French Le bon roi René) (January 16, 1409–July 10, 1480), was duke of Anjou, count of Provence (1434–1480), duke of Bar (1430–1480), duke of Lorraine (1431–1453), king of Naples (1438-1442), king of Sicily (1434–1480) and nominal king of Jerusalem.

Life

King René's castle in Tarascon

He was born in the castle of Angers, and was the second son of Louis II of Anjou, king of Sicily, and of Yolande of Aragon. He was the brother of Marie d'Anjou, who married the future Charles VII of France and became Queen of France. Agnès Sorel, the future mistress of Charles VII was holding a position in René's household when Charles met her.

He spent 8 years in Naples, and later spent his time between his castles in Angers, Tarascon and Aix-en-Provence.

He died in Aix-en-Provence. He was buried in the cathedral of Angers.

Marriages and issue

René married:

1. Isabelle de Lorraine (1410– February 28, 1453) in 1420
2. Jeanne de Laval, on September 10, 1454, , at the Abbey of St. Nicholas in Angers

Children (from Isabelle):

• Louis (1427–1443)
• Yolande (1428–1483)
• Duke John II of Lorraine
• Marguerite (1429–1482), who became Queen consort of Henry VI of England.

Miscellaneous

He appears as "Reignier" in the history play of William Shakespeare, Henry VI, part 1.

See also

• Monarchs of Naples and Sicily
• List of Counts and Dukes of Anjou
• Dukes of Lorraine family tree

External links

• Website about Rene I of Naples (http://www.guice.org/renendex.html)
• King René's Tournament Book (http://www.princeton.edu/~ezb/rene/renehome.html)