Robert II, Latin Emperor
Titular Latin Emperor from 1346 to 1364
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert II of Taranto (1319 or early winter 1326 – 10 September 1364[1]), of the Angevin family, Prince of Taranto (1331–1346), King of Albania (1331–1332), Prince of Achaea (1332–1346), and titular Latin Emperor (1343 or 1346 – 1364).
(as Duke of Durazzo)
| Robert II of Taranto | |
|---|---|
| King of Albania Prince of Taranto Prince of Achaea Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans | |
Seal of Robert of Taranto | |
| King of Albania | |
| Reign | 1331 – 1332 |
| Predecessor | Philip I, Prince of Taranto |
| Successor | John, Duke of Durazzo (as Duke of Durazzo) |
| Born | 1319/1326 |
| Died | 10 September 1364 |
| Spouse | Marie de Bourbon, Princess of Achaea |
| House | House of Anjou-Sicily |
| Father | Philip I of Taranto |
| Mother | Catherine II, Latin Empress |
He was the oldest surviving son of Prince Philip I of Taranto (1278–1331) and Empress Catherine II of Valois.[1]
In 1332, an exchange occurred in which his uncle John, Duke of Durazzo arranged to surrender Achaea to him in exchange for Robert's rights to the Kingdom of Albania and a loan of 5,000 ounces of gold raised upon Niccolò Acciaioli. Robert then officially became Prince of Achaea.[1] Because of his youth, authority was effectively exercised by his mother, Catherine II of Valois, until her death in 1346. At that point, Robert inherited the throne of the Latin Empire and was recognised as emperor by the Latin states of Greece. His actual power, such as it was, remained based upon his authority as prince of Achaea. In Naples, on 9 September 1347, Robert married Marie of Bourbon, the daughter of Louis I, Duke of Bourbon Constable of Cyprus,[2] but the marriage was childless. He died on 10 September 1364 in Naples and was buried there.[3] After he died,[4] his widow attempted to keep the principality for herself and her son from her previous marriage. However, Robert's younger brother Philip II of Taranto succeeded as the legitimate heir.