René of Anjou
René of Anjou (French: René d'Anjou, Italian: Renato d'Angiò; 1409 – 1480), also known as Good King René, was a Count of Piedmont, Duke of Bar, Duke of Lorraine, Duke of Anjou, Count of Provence, and briefly reigned as King of Naples as Renato I from 1435 until the kingdom's conquest by Aragon in 1442.
A member of the French Brotherhood of Assassins. He was the son of Yolande of Aragon, who served as Mentor of the Brotherhood, as well as being the brother of Marie of Anjou who later became Queen of France.
Biography
Early life
René was born on 16 January 1409, in Angers as the second son of Louis II of Anjou and Yolande of Aragon. He grew up in the midst of political turmoil as his family vied for control over the Kingdom of Naples and other territories. He was legally married to Isabella, the eldest daughter of Charles II, Duke of Lorraine in 1419 at the age of ten. Following this, he was made the Duke of Bar.[1]
Aiding Jeanne d'Arc
In January 1429, after hearing of Jeanne d'Arc's perseverance in insisting to see Robert de Baudricourt, on instruction from his mother, René suggested to his father-in-law to invite Jeanne to visit. Impressed with what he saw, he reported back to his mother and ordered de Baudricourt to send her to Chinon.[2] Although the young maiden had chastised him and demanded he leave his mistress and return to his wife, something he did not do.[3]
On 22 March, René was mentioned in conversation by his mother and Gabriel Laxart. She explained what René had done to help, and that he was unable to directly assist but would assist in other means.[2]
Later life
René of Anjou, after facing various challenges, ascended to the titles of Duke of Anjou, Count of Provence, and Duke of Lorraine in 1434. Throughout his later life, he engaged in diplomatic endeavors, faced conflicts, and even became the titular King of Naples in 1442. Despite his efforts to reclaim territories, he spent the latter part of his life in relative obscurity and passed away on 10 July 1480. With Isabella he had issue, his children that survived into adulthood were; John II, Louis, Yolande, Margaret who married Henry VI of England, and Anna. With his mistress he had three illegitimate children; Jean, Jeanne Blanche, and Madeleine.[1]
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed: Heresy (mentioned only)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1
René of Anjou on Wikipedia
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Assassin's Creed: Heresy – Chapter 17
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Heresy – Chapter 7