Catherine of Taranto, Countess of Copertino

Catherine of Taranto[1] (d. 1429; sometimes Caterina d'Enghien Orsini del Balzo)[2] was the daughter of Mary of Enghien and Raimondo Orsini del Balzo di Nola and sister of Giovanni Antonio Orsini del Balzo.[2][3]

Caterina d'Enghien Orsini
Noble familyOrsini
Spouse(s)Tristan, Count of Copertino
IssueIsabella of Clermont
FatherRaimondo del Balzo Orsini
MotherMary of Enghien

Her early life was tumultuous; her father Raimondo died in 1406 (by some accounts executed). Raimondo, encouraged by Pope Innocent VII, had attempted to rebel against the king of Naples, King Ladislaus, and soon thereafter died. Caterina's mother continued to fight, and for months held Taranto against Ladislaus. However, Ladislaus prevailed, and forced Mary to marry him, by imprisoning her and her children (including Caterina) until she submitted to the marriage.[4][1]

In 1415, she married the knight Tristan de Clermont (1380 – c. 1432), a member of the French family of Clermont-Lodève, who became Count of Copertino as part of her dowry.[2]

She and Tristan had two daughters:

References

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  1. ^ a b Osborne, Roy (2019). Renaissance Colour Symbolism. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-244-45476-0.
  2. ^ a b c Safran, Linda (2014-04-18). The Medieval Salento: Art and Identity in Southern Italy. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-4554-7.
  3. ^ Arthur, Paul; Tinelli, Marisa; Vetere, Benedetto (2022-12-16). Il castello di Lecce. Fortezza della Puglia meridionale. Volume I Archeologia e storia. Volume II. Scavo e reperti della Torre Mozza (in Italian). All’Insegna del Giglio. ISBN 978-88-9285-192-4.
  4. ^ a b Wood, Jeryldene M. (2020-06-04). Ippolita Maria Sforza: The Renaissance Princess Who Linked Milan and Naples. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-3916-1.