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Federigo IIThe third son of Pedro III, King of Aragon (1276-1285) and Sicily (under the name Pedro I – 1282-1285) and Constance of Sicily.
Date of Birth: 13.12.1272
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Birth and Family
- The Numeration Conundrum
- Early Life and Regency
- Defense of Sicily
- The Treaty of Anagni and the Sicilian Response
- War with Naples
- Treaty of Caltabellotta and Recognition
- Reign as King of Sicily
- Conflict with Naples and Papal Intervention
- Death and Legacy
Birth and Family
Frederick II (also known as Frederick III) was born as the third son of Peter III of Aragon (reigned 1276-1285) and Constance of Sicily. As King of Sicily, he was rightfully referred to as Frederick II, as his only namesake among his predecessors on the Sicilian throne was his great-grandfather, Frederick I (1196-1250).
The Numeration Conundrum
Unusually, Frederick was one of the few contemporary monarchs to officially use an ordinal number in his title. The reasoning behind this is uncertain. Some speculate that it was due to the simultaneous reign of Frederick I of Sicily as Emperor Frederick II, who often used his ordinal number in official documents. Others attribute it to Frederick III's status as the third son of Peter III, an explanation that is rejected in this article.
In keeping with Sicilian tradition, Frederick is referred to throughout this article as Frederick II. It should be noted that there was another Sicilian king named Frederick III (1342-1387), who was the grandson and third successor of Frederick II.
Early Life and Regency
According to Peter III's will, his vast domains were divided among his two elder sons. Alfonso III (reigned 1285-1291) inherited the kingdoms of Aragon and Valencia, as well as the county of Barcelona (Catalonia). James II (reigned 1291-1327) inherited the Kingdom of Sicily. Both kings were under papal excommunication and faced the threat of a renewed crusade proclaimed by Pope Martin IV.
After Alfonso III's sudden death, James II inherited his domains, reuniting the territories that had belonged to Peter III. Upon his departure for Spain, James II left his next eldest brother, Frederick, as regent of Sicily.
Defense of Sicily
During the ongoing conflict between the Angevin and Aragonese houses, Frederick successfully defended Sicily against the Neapolitans. Meanwhile, James II, facing challenges with the Union of Aragon and fearing renewed war with France, was forced to negotiate with the Pope and Charles II of Naples.
The Treaty of Anagni and the Sicilian Response
Under the Treaty of Anagni (10 June 1295), James II surrendered Sicily to the Pope, who then granted it to Charles II's son-in-law, Charles of Valois. In return, Charles of Valois renounced the crown of Aragon, previously bestowed upon him by Martin IV. James II received absolution from Pope Boniface VIII and confirmation of his royal title in Aragon and Valencia. Additionally, he was granted the islands of Sardinia and Corsica as papal fiefs, although these territories had yet to be conquered.
The Sicilians refused to accept the treaty negotiated behind their backs and handing them over to French rule. Frederick, with the support of the Sicilian estates, rejected the Treaty of Anagni and assumed the title of regent of Sicily on 12 December 1295. On 15 January 1296, the Sicilian Parliament in Catania proclaimed Frederick as king, and he was crowned in Palermo on 25 March 1296.
War with Naples
Frederick II's coronation ignited a renewal of the war with Naples, which now had the support of his brother, James II of Sicily. Among James II's Sicilian supporters were even former heroes of the previous war, Giovanni Procida and Roger de Lauria, who had switched sides to serve Charles II.
The war lasted for seven years, with varying degrees of success. Frederick landed in Calabria, capturing several cities; he supported the Ghibelline party in Tuscany and the Colonna family, Roman opponents of Pope Boniface VIII. Meanwhile, Roger de Lauria defeated the Sicilian fleet at Cape Orlando, allowing the Neapolitan army to land in Sicily and take Catania. Frederick II, however, managed to defeat the Neapolitan army and capture Philip, one of Charles II's sons.
Treaty of Caltabellotta and Recognition
In 1302, another invasion of Sicily ensued, this time led by Charles of Valois. An outbreak of disease within his army soon forced him to withdraw. The failed intervention by Charles of Valois pushed Charles II to reconcile with Frederick II.
Under the Treaty of Caltabellotta (August 1302), Frederick II was recognized by Charles II as the lifelong king of Trinacria (an ancient name of Sicily). The title of King of Sicily remained with Charles II, although he effectively retained only the mainland part of the former kingdom of the Hautevilles and Hohenstaufen. Frederick II married Charles II's daughter, Eleanor. Upon Frederick II's death, Sicily was to revert to the Angevin dynasty.
While the treaty nominally left Frederick with only the lifelong crown of Trinacria rather than a hereditary crown of Sicily, it represented a significant victory for him. In reality, the Sicilian kingdom remained in his hands, and his successors never considered returning it to their rivals. The year 1302 marks the division into two independent kingdoms: the Kingdom of Naples (under the Angevin dynasty) and the Kingdom of Sicily (under the Aragonese house).
Reign as King of Sicily
On 9 August 1314, Frederick II officially reassumed the title of King of Sicily.
Needing the support of his Sicilian subjects, Frederick II enacted a series of laws that would shape the internal life of Sicily for centuries to come. These included the Constitutiones regales, Capitula Alia, and Ordinationes generales. These laws established a parliament in Sicily, composed of representatives from the nobility, clergy, and townsmen.
Conflict with Naples and Papal Intervention
In 1313, amidst a conflict between King Robert of Naples and Emperor Henry VII, Frederick II landed in Calabria and seized Reggio, also sending a fleet to the Tuscan coast to aid the emperor. After Henry VII's death, Frederick II was left alone against Naples, and after a prolonged war, the two sides reconciled in 1317.
Nevertheless, Frederick II continued to support the Ghibellines in northern Italy, confiscating Church revenues collected in Sicily to fund his efforts. In response, Pope John XXII excommunicated Frederick II in 1321 and placed Sicily under an interdict (1321-1335). War between Sicily and Naples resumed. John XXII's successor, Benedict XII, lifted the interdict and demanded the reconciliation of the rivals. After unsuccessful negotiations, war broke out anew.
Death and Legacy
In the midst of this conflict, Frederick II died on 25 June 1337, in Paternò, near Catania. He was buried in Catania Cathedral. Already in 1321, Frederick II had crowned his son Peter II as King of Trinacria, who upon his father's death ascended to the throne undisputed, breaking the terms of the Treaty of Caltabellotta.
