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René I of Anjou

«the Good»

An Angevin prince with rights and titles spread across France and Italy. His career reflects the complexity of Anjou’s dynastic claims to Naples, Lorraine and Provence.

1409 – 1480Duke / KingValois-Anjou · ES
Explore this family · Spanish AtlasBack to people
Portrait of René I of Anjou
Historical portraitRené of Anjou in the Matheron DiptychNicolas Froment · 1474Musée du Louvre, ParisPublic domain · PD-Art / PDM 1.0 · Source

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: 16 January 1409 Documented

Death: 10 July 1480 Documented

Role: Duke / King

Dynasty: Valois-Anjou · ES

Territories: Anjou (ES) · Naples (ES) · Lorraine (ES) · Provence (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns
Duke · Anjou · Duchy Pending review1434–1480Effective rule
Count · Provence · County Pending review1434–1480Effective rule
Duke · Lorraine · Duchy Pending review1431–1453Jure uxoris
King · Naples · Reign Pending review1435–1442Effective rule
Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents
Partners
Children
Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of René I of Anjou. Each title retains its own status.

Governments in 1435

  • AnjouDuke
    View titles and jurisdictions
  • ProvenceCount
    View titles and jurisdictions
  • LorraineDuke
    View titles and jurisdictions
  • NaplesKing
    View titles and jurisdictions

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.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

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

Evidence for this profile

9 recorded claims · 6 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
Family and relationships (1/3 with a precise source)
  • FatherDocumented

    Louis II of Anjou

    The authority record identifies Louis II of Anjou (GND 123920396) as father.
    Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · René I., Anjou, Herzog · Relationships: father → GND 123920396
    Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
  • MotherPending review

    Yolande of Aragon

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

    Isabella of Lorraine

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
Governments (0/4 with a precise source)
  • GovernmentPending review

    Duke · Anjou · 1434–1480

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

    Count · Provence · 1434–1480

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

    Duke · Lorraine · 1431–1453

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

    King · Naples · 1435–1442

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
Biographical and contextual references (4)
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

Follow this person through history

Story · Spanish original

The kingdom divided in two

Hohenstaufen, Anjou and Aragon contend for Sicily and Naples

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