Maria Thopia
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Maria Thopia Maria Topia | |
|---|---|
| Baroness of Botrugno | |
| Predecessor | Isabella Antoglietta |
| Born | Unknown Principality of Albania |
| Died | Unknown Kingdom of Naples |
| Noble family | Thopia |
| Spouse | Filippo Maramonte |
| Issue | 3 children |
| Father | Karl Thopia |
| Mother | Unknown |
Maria Thopia (Albanian: Maria Topia) was a 14th-15th century Albanian noblewoman and a recognised illegitimate daughter of Karl Thopia, Prince of Albania, by an unknown mistress. She married Filippo Maramonte, 1st Baron of Botrugno, chancellor and marshal of Ladislaus of Naples.[1][2]
Nothing is known about Maria's early life except of her illegitimacy. Her father, Karl Thopia, was a son of Andrea I Thopia, Count of Matia and Hélène of Anjou. Her grandmother, was herself an illegitimate daughter of Robert, King of Naples, who was initially set to marry the Prince of Morea before breaking the engagement off.[3][4] Maria's father had another recognised illegitimate son, Niketa Thopia, and three legitimate children, Gjergj, Helena and Voisava by his wife Voisava of Zeta. It is not known whether or not Maria's and Niketa's mother were the same mistress, or if their father's affairs took place before or during his marriage to Voisava.
Marriage
Maria married Filippo Maramonte, member of the Maramonte family, who likely originated from Maramont in Artois, France and were feudal lords in Terra d'Otranto, Province of Chieti, Abruzzo Citra and County of Molise.[5] His parents, Maramonte di Maramonti and Isabella Antoglietta were married in 1352, when his mother brought as dowry the town of Matino.[6][7] By 1400, Filippo was already a chancellor and marshal of Ladislaus of Naples.[8] Her brother-in-law, on the other hand, Carlo Maramonte, Lord of Campi was a Chamberlain of the king.[9] The couple had three children together.