Frederick IV, King of Naples (d. 1504)

Frederick I of Naples, sometimes referred to as Frederick IV or Frederick of Aragon, was born on April 19, 1452, and passed away on November 9, 1504. His reign as the last King of Naples from the Neapolitan branch of the illustrious House of Trastámara spanned from 1496 to 1501. His relatively brief period on the throne was marked by the tumultuous political landscape of the Italian Wars, ultimately leading to the end of an independent Neapolitan monarchy under his lineage.

Frederick’s place in the royal succession was as the second son of Ferdinand I of Naples, often known as Ferrante I, a shrewd and sometimes ruthless ruler who consolidated Trastámara power in the kingdom. He was the younger brother of Alfonso II, who had a very short and unpopular reign, and the uncle of Ferdinand II, also known as Ferrandino, who was Frederick's immediate predecessor. Ferdinand II faced an early invasion by King Charles VIII of France and, despite briefly regaining his kingdom, died young and childless, paving the way for his uncle Frederick to ascend the throne.

However, Frederick's ascension to the throne was precarious. The Kingdom of Naples, a prized possession due to its strategic location and agricultural wealth, had long been a focal point of ambition for various European powers. King Charles VIII of France had previously launched a large-scale invasion in 1494, asserting an ancestral Angevin claim to Naples, which he briefly held before being forced to retreat. This French ambition did not wane with Charles VIII's death. His successor, King Louis XII of France, rekindled the claim, seeing Naples as a crucial piece in his broader Italian strategy.

Adding to Frederick's perilous position was the involvement of his famous cousin, King Ferdinand II of Aragon, often referred to as Ferdinand the Catholic. While a relative, Ferdinand II of Aragon harbored his own designs on southern Italy, which had historic ties to the Crown of Aragon. Initially, Ferdinand of Aragon had positioned himself as a protector of his Neapolitan Trastámara relatives against French aggression. However, strategic calculations and political opportunism led to a devastating shift in alliances.

In a move that sealed Frederick's fate, Louis XII of France and Ferdinand II of Aragon reached a secret agreement known as the Treaty of Granada in 1500. This pact brazenly outlined the partition of the Kingdom of Naples between their two crowns, effectively betraying their shared Trastámara lineage and the existing King. In 1501, a combined French and Aragonese invasion force descended upon Naples. Overwhelmed and outmaneuvered by this powerful alliance, Frederick was deposed from his throne, marking the end of the Neapolitan branch of the House of Trastámara's rule.

Following Frederick's deposition, Naples was initially divided, with a significant portion going to King Louis XII of France, while Ferdinand II of Aragon secured the southern parts, including Calabria and Puglia. However, this uneasy alliance between France and Aragon was short-lived. A "falling-out" — a more accurate description would be a fierce and bloody conflict — quickly ensued between the former allies over the spoils. The ensuing hostilities, a critical phase of the Italian Wars, saw Spanish forces, led by the renowned general Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, decisively defeat the French in a series of engagements, culminating in the Battle of Garigliano in 1503. By 1504, Ferdinand II of Aragon had successfully seized complete control of the entire Kingdom of Naples. From that point forward, Naples became an integral part of the Spanish possessions, remaining under Spanish rule for over two centuries, until the conclusion of the War of the Spanish Succession in the early 18th century, which saw it pass to the Austrian Habsburgs.

Frederick, after his deposition, was granted the County of Maine in France by Louis XII as compensation, where he lived in exile. He died in Tours in 1504, a king without a kingdom, his reign a poignant chapter in the complex and often brutal power struggles that defined Renaissance Italy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Frederick of Naples

Who was Frederick of Naples?

Frederick (born April 19, 1452 – died November 9, 1504) was the last King of Naples from the Neapolitan branch of the House of Trastámara, reigning from 1496 to 1501. He was the second son of King Ferdinand I and uncle to his predecessor, King Ferdinand II.

What was the House of Trastámara?

The House of Trastámara was a prominent royal dynasty of Castilian origin that ruled in Castile (from 1369), Aragon (from 1412), Sicily (from 1409), and Naples (from 1442). Frederick belonged to the Neapolitan branch, which ruled the Kingdom of Naples from Alfonso V of Aragon's conquest until Frederick's deposition.

Why did France claim the Kingdom of Naples?

France based its claim to Naples on an old Angevin inheritance. The Kingdom of Naples had been ruled by the House of Anjou (a French royal house) for centuries before being conquered by Alfonso V of Aragon in 1442. French monarchs, notably Charles VIII and Louis XII, revived these claims to assert their influence and expand their territories in Italy.

How did Frederick lose his throne?

Frederick lost his throne due to a strategic alliance between King Louis XII of France and his cousin, King Ferdinand II of Aragon. Through the secret Treaty of Granada in 1500, these two powerful monarchs agreed to partition Naples between themselves. They jointly invaded the kingdom in 1501, overwhelming Frederick's defenses and leading to his deposition.

What happened to Naples after Frederick's deposition?

After Frederick's deposition in 1501, Naples was initially divided between France and Aragon as per the Treaty of Granada. However, the two powers soon clashed over the spoils. Following a series of decisive Spanish victories in the Italian Wars, most notably the Battle of Garigliano in 1503, Ferdinand II of Aragon gained full control of the kingdom. Naples then became a Spanish possession and remained so for over two centuries until the War of the Spanish Succession in the early 18th century.

What was the broader significance of Frederick's reign and deposition?

Frederick's reign and subsequent deposition marked a significant turning point in Italian history. It effectively ended the independence of the Kingdom of Naples under a native dynasty for an extended period and firmly integrated it into the burgeoning Spanish Empire. His fall was a direct consequence of the larger power struggles known as the Italian Wars, which saw major European powers (France, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire) vie for dominance over the fragmented Italian peninsula.