Joanna appeared before the Papal Commission. She pleaded guilty only
to having disliked her husband, and claimed that this was due to
witchcraft. She was acquitted as innocent of all charges brought
against her; and as the Pope was regarded as infallible judge, in
morals as in matters of faith, the world was constrained to acquiesce
in the judgment.
Joanna returned to Naples, where she held a gay, voluptuous court,
frequented by the wits and artists of Italy. Boccaccio wrote for
her his filthy tales, which he afterwards grouped together in the
_Decameron_. Petrarch corresponded with her. Leonardo da Vinci painted
her portrait; pupils of Giotto painted for her; Troubadours sang before
her, and were fulsome in their praise.
But her rule was no rule at all. The country suffered from
misgovernment. Companies of adventurers ravaged the kingdom, and
carried their depredations to the very gates of Naples. Joanna cared
for none of these things; did not give over her revelries and carnival
entertainments. Her husband Louis was offended at her shameless
gallantries, and beat her with his fists. He died in May, 1362; and
she at once offered her hand to James of the House of Aragon, claimant
to the throne of Majorca, a young and chivalrous prince. He accepted,
and they were married in 1363; but she would not allow him any further
title than that of Duke of Calabria.
He was disgusted with the frivolity of her Court, and with her conduct,
and fearing lest the same fate should befall him that had come on her
first husband Andrew, he quitted Naples and fled to Spain. James of
Aragon died, and in 1376 Joanna married Otto of Brunswick. This fourth
marriage offended Charles of Durazzo, grandson of John de Gravia,
younger brother of Robert, King of the Two Sicilies, who calculated
on succeeding to the throne and the county of Provence should Joanna
die childless. His father Louis had been poisoned by Queen Joanna. Now
ensued the great schism.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account