Raimondo del Balzo Orsini

Raimondo del Balzo Orsini (died 17 January 1406), also known as "Raimondello", a remarkable nobleman of 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, Gonfaloner of the Holy Roman Church (1385, confirmed in 1399 together with the principality of Taranto).

Family

Raimondello was the second son of Nicolo Orsini di Nola (1331-1399), 3rd Count of Nola, grand Justiciar and also Grand Chancellor of Kingdom of Naples, and his second wife Maria del Balzo (of counts of Soleto). His grandfather was Roberto Orsini di Nola (1295-1345), 2nd Count of Nola, Grand Justiciar of Naples, and grandmother was the remarkable heiress Sveva del Balzo (born in first years of 14th century), Countess of Soleto, heiress of des Baux because of whom 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.

In 1384 he married Mary of Enghien (1367- 9 May 1446), Countess of Lecce, daughter and (after her brother) heiress of Count John, Lord of Nivelles, Presle, Omophita and Diskoria, and his wife Bianca del Balzo dei Duchi d'Andria.

Life

Raimondello became 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. For this reason, a struggle between Raimondello and King Ladislas of Naples, who enventually ruled over the principality by marrying Mary after Raimondello's death.

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.

Offspring

Raimondello and Mary had the following children:

# Giovanni Antonio (1386-1463), Prince of Taranto, Duke of Bari, Count of Lecce, Acerra, Soleto, Conversano, also 1443 count of Matera, 1453 Ugento.
# Maria del Balzo Orsini, married Antonio Acquaviva, 2nd Duke of Atri. Apparently childless.
# Caterina del Balzo Orsini, married Bartolomeo (aka Tristano) di Chiaramonte (de Clermont), Count of Copertino (1380 - c. 1432)
# Gabriele (died 1453), Count of Ugento 1434, 1st Duke of Venosa 1441, Count of Lecce, Neapolitan General and Admiral. Married 1431 Giovanna (Ippolita) Caracciolo del Sole dei Duchi di Melfi, daughter of Sergianni Caracciolo dei Duchi di Melfi, Grand Seneschal of Kingdom of Sicily, and his wife Caterina Filangieri.