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The book tells the story of Queen Joan of Naples, who ascends to the throne after the death of her grandfather, King Robert of Anjou. However, her reign is marked by power struggles, intrigue, and violence. Her husband, Andre, is brutally murdered, and Joan is accused of being involved in his death. She must navigate the treacherous waters of court politics, facing challenges from rival claimants to the throne, including Charles of Durazzo, who seeks to exploit the situation for his own gain. As the story unfolds, Joan's life becomes increasingly complicated, with multiple marriages, alliances, and betrayals. The book explores themes of power, ambition, and the consequences of one's actions, ultimately leading to Joan's tragic demise. Throughout the book, the author weaves a complex narrative, filled with historical detail and vivid characters, bringing to life the tumultuous world of 14th-century Naples. The story is a gripping tale of politics, passion, and tragedy, as Joan struggles to maintain her position and survive in a world filled with danger and deception.
The King of Naples, Robert of Anjou, lies on his deathbed, surrounded by his family and advisors. As he prepares to meet his maker, he is filled with remorse and doubt about the legitimacy of his rule, feeling that he has usurped the throne from his nephew's family. He confides in his wife, Queen Sancha, and asks her to watch over their granddaughter, Joan, and her husband, Andre, after his death. The king then summons his family and advisors to announce his last wishes, including the nomination of Joan as his sole heiress and the division of his territories among his relatives. As the king takes his last breath, the room erupts into a mixture of grief and political maneuvering, with various factions vying for power and influence. The princes and nobles pay homage to Joan, acknowledging her as the new queen, while others, like Charles of Durazzo, seem to be plotting their next move. The chapter ends with Joan retiring to her chambers, overcome with emotion, as the people of Naples proclaim her as their new queen.
The newly proclaimed Queen Joan is struggling to come to terms with her new role and the expectations placed upon her. Her tutor, Friar Robert, advises her husband Andre's family to send letters to the Pope and to Andre's family in Hungary, complaining about the Neapolitans proclaiming Joan as the sole queen and overlooking Andre's rights. Meanwhile, Joan's lady-in-waiting, Dona Cancha, tries to comfort her and discusses her feelings about her husband and her secret love for Bertrand of Artois. The Catanese, Joan's governess, and her son Robert arrive, seeking to take advantage of Joan's vulnerability and manipulate her into granting them favors, including the title of Grand Seneschal for Robert. Joan, however, is able to outmaneuver them and maintains her dignity. Later, Charles of Durazzo, a rival claimant to the throne, visits Joan and tries to win her trust, hinting at his own ambitions and suggesting that Andre is unfit to rule. He even proposes a drastic solution to Joan's unhappiness, which shocks and horrifies her, leading to a confrontation between them. The chapter ends with Joan feeling angry, betrayed, and determined to protect herself and her throne.
Charles of Durazzo, seeking to strengthen his claim to the throne, orchestrates the disappearance of Marie, the queen's younger sister, and then marries her in a public ceremony, claiming the Pope's permission for the union. Meanwhile, Joan is struggling with her own troubles, including her husband Andre's increasing unpopularity and the influence of her lover, Bertrand of Artois. As tensions rise, Andre's mother, Elizabeth of Poland, arrives in Naples, seeking to take her son away from the treacherous court, but Andre refuses to leave, determined to assert his rights as king. Friar Robert, Andre's tutor, reveals that the Pope has recognized Andre as king, and Elizabeth, though fearful for her son's safety, eventually departs, leaving Andre to face the dangers of the court alone. The chapter ends with the death of Dona Sancha, the former queen of Naples, who had taken vows as a nun, and the sense that a catastrophe is looming over the throne of Naples.
The chapter revolves around the increasing tension and power struggle between Queen Joan and her husband, Andre. Bertrand of Artois, Joan's lover, informs her that Andre has been recognized as King of Jerusalem and Sicily by the court of Avignon, and that his coronation is imminent. This news fills Joan with a sense of desperation and determination to protect herself and her throne. Meanwhile, Andre, unaware of the danger that awaits him, is making plans for a hunting trip and a grand coronation ceremony. However, his life is cut short when he is brutally murdered by a group of conspirators, including Bertrand of Artois, while on the hunting trip. The conspirators, who are revealed to be a group of nobles and courtiers, use a cord of silk and gold to strangle Andre, and then throw his body over a balcony. The chapter ends with the discovery of Andre's body and Joan's return to Castel Nuovo, surrounded by her escort, while the crowd outside remains silent and stunned by the horrific deed.
The aftermath of Andre's murder continues to unfold as Charles of Durazzo seeks to exploit the situation to his advantage. He leaves Andre's body unburied and exposed to the elements, then later has it conveyed to the cathedral with great pomp, using the occasion to whip up public outrage and demand vengeance against the murderers. Meanwhile, Joan is struggling to come to terms with her role in Andre's death and the consequences that follow. Bertrand of Artois, her lover and one of the conspirators, is overcome with guilt and horror, and the two have a tense and disturbing encounter. As the investigation into Andre's murder begins, Charles of Durazzo uses his influence to manipulate the proceedings, seeking to protect himself and his allies while bringing others to justice. The trial is a sham, with the accused being tortured into confessing and implicating others. The punishments meted out are brutal and public, with the accused being scourged, mutilated, and eventually burned at the stake. The crowd's fervor for revenge reaches a fever pitch, and they ultimately break through the enclosure and tear the bodies of the accused to pieces, using the bones to make gruesome souvenirs. Throughout the chaos, Charles of Durazzo remains a calm and calculating presence, using the situation to further his own ambitions and consolidate his power.
The power struggle in Naples continues as Louis of Tarentum, the queen's lover, tries to assert his influence against Charles of Durazzo. However, the arrival of the King of Hungary, seeking to avenge his brother's death, throws the court into chaos. The queen and Louis are forced to flee, and Charles, who had been playing both sides, is eventually caught and executed by the King of Hungary for his treachery. The King of Hungary's arrival marks the beginning of a new era of bloodshed and violence in Naples, as he seeks to punish those responsible for his brother's death and assert his own claim to the throne. Meanwhile, Catherine of Tarentum, the queen's aunt, plays a crucial role in the events unfolding, using her cunning and ambition to further her own interests. The chapter ends with the execution of Charles of Durazzo, who is haunted by the ghosts of his past crimes and ultimately meets a grisly end.
The King of Hungary continues his brutal campaign in Naples, ordering the execution of Dona Cancha and the torture of Godfrey of Marsana. Meanwhile, Queen Joan, who had fled to Provence, is received with great fanfare and eventually makes her way to Avignon, where she is put on trial for her alleged role in her husband's murder. Despite the accusations, Joan delivers a passionate defense, and the pope ultimately declares her innocent and acquits her of all charges. The pope also confirms her marriage to Louis of Tarentum and bestows upon him the title of King of Sicily and Jerusalem. As the Black Plague ravages Italy, the Neapolitans grow weary of the Hungarian occupation, and Louis of Tarentum sees an opportunity to reclaim the kingdom. He and Joan return to Naples, where they are greeted as heroes, and Louis begins to reconquer the fortresses held by the Hungarians. However, the King of Hungary soon returns with a large army, and Louis is forced to propose a single combat to settle their dispute. The two exchange letters, but ultimately, the King of Hungary refuses to accept Louis's proposal, and the city of Aversa falls after a long siege. The King of Hungary's army approaches Naples, and Louis and Joan are forced to flee to Gaeta, while the people of Naples prepare to defend their city against the Hungarian occupation.
The chapter describes the violent and treacherous events that unfold in Naples, as the King of Hungary seeks to avenge his brother's death and assert his claim to the throne. Meanwhile, Marie of Durazzo, the widow of Charles of Durazzo, is forced to marry Robert des Baux, the son of the admiral Renaud des Baux, in a sacrilegious ceremony. However, Louis of Tarentum, the king, discovers the admiral's treachery and has him killed, saving Marie and her children. The chapter also describes the coronation of Joan and Louis of Tarentum, which is marked by an ominous accident, and the subsequent events that lead to Louis's death. The story then jumps forward in time, describing Joan's subsequent marriages and the rise of Charles de la Paix, who eventually turns against her and besieges her in her castle. The chapter ends with Joan's tragic demise, as she is led to the place where her husband Andre and Charles of Durazzo were killed, and is ultimately strangled with a cord of silk and gold.