The Tree of Europe · Person

Charles of Durazzo

«the Short»

Charles of Durazzo governed Croatia and Dalmatia on behalf of Louis I before taking the Neapolitan throne in 1381. His domains included Corfu and Butrint; his authority over Achaea was contested by the Navarrese Company. Crowned king of Hungary and Croatia on 31 December 1385, he was attacked in Buda in February 1386 and died shortly afterwards. His title to Jerusalem did not confer control of the Holy Land.

1345 – 1386Charles III of Naples and Charles II of HungaryAnjou-Durazzo · ES

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1345 Pending review

Death: 1386 Pending review

Role: Charles III of Naples and Charles II of Hungary

Other recorded names: Charles III of Naples · Charles II of Hungary · Charles the Short

Dynasty: Anjou-Durazzo · ES

Territories: Naples (ES) · Hungary (ES) · Croatia (ES) · Achaea (ES) · Jerusalem (ES) · Commune of Arezzo (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns
King · Naples · Reign Documented1381–1386Effective rule
King · Hungary · Reign Documented1385–1386Effective rule
King · Croatia · Reign Documented1385–1386Effective rule
Duke · Croatia · Duchy Documented1369–1376Delegated governmentDelegated government of Croatia and Dalmatia; Zadar was his ducal residence. He was not king during this period.
Prince · Achaea · Principality Documented1383–1386TitularA nominal title after the death of James of Baux; effective government remained in the hands of the Navarrese Company.
King · Jerusalem · Reign Documented1381–1386TitularA title of the Neapolitan monarchy, without effective rule in the Holy Land.
Lord · Commune of Arezzo · Government Documented1380–1384OccupationMilitary authority and government by his vicar; the city passed to Florence in November 1384.
Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents
Partners
Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Charles of Durazzo. Each title retains its own status.

Governments in 1385

  • NaplesKing
    View titles and jurisdictions
  • Crown of Saint Stephen2 titles and offices
    View titles and jurisdictions

    The kingdoms of the Hungarian crown and, before its eastern separation, the voivodeship of Transylvania. Each title retains its identity; an independent Transylvanian prince or an Ottoman tributary is not included merely because of a shared ruler or proximity. Source for this grouping

Nominal and disputed titles (2)
  • Achaea · ESPrince · Titular1383–1386 · A nominal title after the death of James of Baux; effective government remained in the hands of the Navarrese Company.
  • Jerusalem · ESKing · Titular1381–1386 · A title of the Neapolitan monarchy, without effective rule in the Holy Land.

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Dates and documentary notes
Governments
Rule in Naples begins in 1381 with coronation and conquest; 1382 is the year of Joanna I’s death. Corfu and Butrint appear as Neapolitan domains from 1382. Achaea and Jerusalem are nominal titles. Ragusa retained its institutions and opposed Charles: dependence on the Hungarian crown does not establish personal tribute to this king. Louis I’s vassals are not transferred to Charles without specific evidence.
Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

12 recorded claims · 5 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (0/2 with a precise source)
  • BirthPending review

    1345

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • DeathPending review

    1386

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
Family and relationships (0/3 with a precise source)
  • FatherPending review

    Louis of Durazzo

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • MotherPending review

    Margaret Sanseverino

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • Marriage or partnershipPending review

    Margaret of Durazzo

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
Governments (7/7 with a precise source)
Biographical and contextual references (9)
Editorial history
  • 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
  • 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

Related stories

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Story · Spanish original

The kingdom divided in two

Hohenstaufen, Anjou and Aragon contend for Sicily and Naples

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