Niccolò Acciaiuoli

Niccolò Acciaiuoli (born Sept. 12, 1310, Montegufoni, near Florence—died Nov. 8, 1365, Naples) was a statesman, soldier, and grand seneschal of Naples who enjoyed a predominant position in the Neapolitan court.

Of a prominent and wealthy Florentine family, Acciaiuoli went to Naples in 1331 to direct the family’s banking interests. In 1335 King Robert made him a knight, entrusted him with the care of his nephew Louis of Taranto, and bestowed upon him a series of fiefs in Apulia and in Greece.

After playing a major role in arranging the marriage between Louis of Taranto and Queen Joan I of Naples in 1347, Acciaiuoli became one of the most powerful men in the kingdom, being named grand seneschal in 1348. He defended Louis and Joan against the attack of Louis I of Hungary, who was seeking revenge for the assassination of his brother Andrew, Joan’s first husband. Acciaiuoli finally regained the kingdom, having Louis of Taranto crowned king (May 27, 1352).

Acciaiuoli then led the conquest of almost all of Sicily (1356–57), put down a barons’ revolt, and conquered Messina, for which he was created count of Malta and Gozo. In 1358 he defended Achaea, which was menaced by the Turks and the Catalans, and for this he was created lord of Corinth. He later consolidated his power in Messina, but following Louis of Taranto’s death (1362), he returned to Naples in 1364 to defend Joan against another baronial revolt.