Frederick the Simple, King of Sicily

Frederick III of Sicily: King of Trinacria Amidst Turmoil (1355-1377)

Frederick III, often referred to as Frederick the Simple, reigned as King of Sicily from 1355 until his death in Messina on 27 July 1377. Born on 1 September 1341 in Catania, he was the second son of King Peter II of Sicily and Elisabeth of Carinthia. Frederick ascended to the throne following the demise of his elder brother, King Louis of Sicily, who succumbed to the devastating Black Death. Intriguingly, contemporary documents from his era frequently referred to him simply as "infante Frederick, ruler of the kingdom of Sicily," conspicuously omitting any regnal number. This ambiguity contributed to the long-standing confusion surrounding his numerical designation as either Frederick III or Frederick IV among later historians and genealogists.

Understanding the Regnal Numbering Controversy

The historical confusion surrounding Frederick the Simple's regnal number is primarily linked to an earlier, prominent Sicilian monarch: his grandfather, Frederick II of Sicily. This esteemed ancestor, a scion of the Aragonese House of Barcelona, deliberately styled himself "Frederick III" despite being, in reality, only the second King Frederick to occupy the Sicilian throne from this particular dynasty. His self-chosen appellation was subsequently adopted and perpetuated by generations of historians and genealogists, contributing to the persistent numerical anomaly.

To clarify the lineage and the source of the numbering debate:

• The very first King Frederick to hold the Sicilian crown was Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor (reigned as King of Sicily from 1198 to 1250), a member of the powerful Hohenstaufen dynasty.
• Following the Hohenstaufens, the Aragonese conquest of Sicily (after the Sicilian Vespers in 1282) brought a new dynastic line. The first Aragonese Frederick to rule Sicily was Frederick II of Sicily (reigned 1296-1337), who chose to call himself "Frederick III".
• Consequently, our subject, Frederick the Simple, was the second Aragonese King Frederick, and by a strict count, the third overall King Frederick of Sicily (after Frederick II HRE and Frederick II of Sicily). However, adhering to his grandfather's numbering, he became "Frederick III" (or sometimes "Frederick IV" to account for the first Hohenstaufen Frederick).

A Reign Plagued by Internal Strife and External Threats

Frederick III's ascension in 1355 saw his sister, Euphemia of Sicily, initially serving as regent, guiding the young monarch through the tumultuous early years of his reign. However, the true reins of power largely remained in the hands of formidable Sicilian barons, a characteristic feature of medieval Sicilian politics. These powerful feudal lords, such as Artale I Alagona, who wielded significant influence particularly in Eastern Sicily, often challenged royal authority, contributing to the perception of Frederick as "the Simple" due to his perceived inability to fully assert control over them.

Beyond internal aristocratic struggles, Frederick III's reign was severely impacted by two major crises:

• The Enduring War of the Sicilian Vespers: This protracted conflict, which began in 1282, pitted the Aragonese rulers of Sicily against the Angevin rulers of the Kingdom of Naples for supremacy over the island. Frederick inherited this long-standing war, which continued to drain the kingdom's resources and destabilize its borders throughout much of his early rule.
• The Black Death: The devastating bubonic plague, which had already claimed the life of his predecessor, King Louis, continued its intermittent ravages across Europe, including Sicily. This catastrophic pandemic led to massive depopulation, economic collapse, and widespread social disruption, exacerbating the kingdom's existing vulnerabilities.

Notable Decrees and Diplomatic Achievements

On 25 December 1369, Frederick III issued a discriminatory decree against the Jewish population of Sicily. Following a practice becoming increasingly common in medieval Europe, he mandated that all Jews wear a distinguishing badge to identify their heritage. This badge, designed to be a piece of red material, was specified to be no smaller than the largest royal seal of the kingdom. Men were compelled to wear this emblem under their chin, while women were required to display it prominently on their chest. This edict reflected the prevailing anti-Semitic sentiment and sumptuary laws of the era.

Despite the numerous challenges, Frederick III achieved a significant diplomatic milestone in 1372. He successfully negotiated peace terms with the Kingdom of Naples and, crucially, with Pope Gregory XI. This agreement, often referred to as the Treaty of Avignon or the Treaty of Villeneuve, formally ended the long-running War of the Sicilian Vespers, nearly a century after its initial outbreak. As part of this treaty, Frederick was granted the title of tributary King of "Trinacria." This specific appellation, an ancient name for Sicily, was a diplomatic compromise engineered by the Pope to avoid explicitly acknowledging the full Aragonese claim to the "Kingdom of Sicily," which the Angevin rulers of Naples still coveted. In exchange for peace and recognition, Frederick agreed to pay an annual tribute to the Papacy, underscoring the Pope's continued suzerainty over the island.

Unclaimed Alpine Inheritance

In 1369, with the death of Margaret of Tyrol, a cousin of Frederick III's mother, Elisabeth of Carinthia, Frederick found himself as the sole surviving descendant of the House of Gorizia-Tyrol. This prominent aristocratic house had historically controlled vast territories in the Eastern Alps, including the critically important regions of Tyrol, Carinthia, and Carniola. This inheritance represented a significant potential expansion of his dynastic claims and influence.

However, despite this substantial dynastic opportunity, Frederick III never formally asserted any claims to these rich Alpine territories. His inability to pursue these claims was a direct consequence of the overwhelming internal problems plaguing his Sicilian kingdom, including the incessant struggles with powerful barons and the ongoing financial strains from the lengthy wars and the plague's aftermath. Consequently, these strategically vital territories eventually passed into the hands of the ambitious Habsburg dynasty, significantly bolstering their growing power base in Central Europe.

Frederick III died in Messina in 1377. His legacy is largely characterized by a reign marked by severe internal and external pressures, where he struggled to assert royal authority amidst powerful feudal lords and devastating external factors. His death ushered in a new period of instability for Sicily, as his young daughter, Maria of Sicily, succeeded him, leading to further external interventions from the Crown of Aragon.

Frequently Asked Questions About Frederick III of Sicily

Was Frederick III the third King of Sicily named Frederick?

Historically, this is a point of confusion. While he was the third King Frederick in general to rule Sicily (following Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, and his own grandfather, Frederick II of Sicily, who styled himself "Frederick III"), he was the second Aragonese King Frederick. He is commonly known as Frederick III due to his grandfather's self-appellation, which stuck in historical records.

Why was Frederick III called "the Simple"?

The epithet "the Simple" (or "the Simpleton") likely arose from his perceived lack of strong leadership or his inability to effectively control the powerful and often rebellious Sicilian barons during his reign. His rule was characterized by ongoing internal struggles and external threats, which may have contributed to this assessment of his capabilities.

What were the major challenges Frederick III faced during his reign?

Frederick III faced severe challenges, including the prolonged War of the Sicilian Vespers with the Kingdom of Naples, the devastating impact of the Black Death which claimed his predecessor's life and ravaged the kingdom, and constant internal struggles with powerful, autonomous Sicilian noble families who frequently defied royal authority.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Avignon in Frederick III's reign?

The Treaty of Avignon (1372) was a pivotal diplomatic achievement. It formally ended the nearly century-long War of the Sicilian Vespers, bringing peace between Sicily and Naples. Crucially, it established Frederick as the tributary King of "Trinacria," a title designed by Pope Gregory XI to acknowledge Frederick's rule while avoiding full recognition of the Aragonese claim to the "Kingdom of Sicily" and maintaining papal suzerainty.

Why did Frederick III not pursue his inheritance claims in the Eastern Alps?

Despite becoming the sole heir to the vast territories of the House of Gorizia-Tyrol (Tyrol, Carinthia, Carniola) in 1369, Frederick III was unable to press these claims due to the overwhelming internal problems and political instability plaguing his Sicilian kingdom. His resources and attention were entirely consumed by maintaining control over Sicily, allowing these valuable lands to pass unchallenged to the rising Habsburg dynasty.