Peter II of Sicily

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This biography does not cite any references or sources. (July 2007)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Peter II (July 1305 – August 15, 1342 in Calascibetta) was crowned king of Sicily (then called Trinacria) in 1321 and gained full sovereignty when his father died in 1337.

His father was Frederick III of Sicily and his mother was Eleanor of Anjou, a daughter of Charles II of Naples and Maria Arpad of Hungary. Maria was a daughter of Béla IV of Hungary and Maria Laskarina.

He married Elisabeth of Carinthia, with whom he had nine children, including: Louis his successor; Frederick, who succeeded Louis; Eleanor, mother of Martin II; Constance, regent 1352-1354; and Euphemia, regent, 1355-1357.

His reign was marked by strife between the throne and the nobility, especially the old families of Ventimiglia, Palizzi, Chiaramonte, and Antiochia.

He died without warning in 1342 at Calascibetta and was buried in the cathedral of Palermo. He was succeeded by Louis, his eldest son, who was only five years old.