JOAN II., daughter of Charles Durazzo, and sister of Ladislaus, king of Naples, succeeded the latter after his death in 1414. She was then forty-four years of age, and already noted for licentiousness and weakness of character. After her exaltation to the throne she con tinued in the same course, only with mere barefaced effrontery. She however married, from political motives, James, count de la Marche, who was allied to the royal family of France ; but the match, as might be expected, proved most unhappy. James was obliged to run away in despair from Naples, and retired to France, where it is said that he ended his days in a convent. Meanwhile unworthy favourites ruled in succession at the court of Joan. One of them, Ser Gianni Caracciolo, of a noble family, saw his iufluence disputed by the famous condottiere Sforza Attendolo, who, together with many barons that were jealous of Caracciolo, took the part of Louis of Anjou, a grandson of that Louis to whom Joan I. had bequeathed the crown.
The queen sought for support in Alfonso of Aragon, king of Sicily, whom she adopted, and appointed her successor. Alfonso came to Naples; but the fickle Joan having made her peace with Sforza, revoked her adoption of Alfonso, and appointed Louis of Anjou as her successor. Alfonso was accordingly obliged to return to Sicily. The favourite Caracciolo was soon after murdered in consequence of court jealousy and intrigue. Louis of Anjou died also, and was followed to the grave by Joan herself, who, on her death, appointed Rend of Anjou as her anceeaaer. She died in 1435, leaving her kingdom in great dis order, and with the prospect of a disputed succession and a civil war. [ALFONSO V. of Aragon, vol. i. col. 139.]