Philip I of Taranto (1278-1332): of the Anjou family, Prince of Taranto, despot of Epirus, Prince of Achaea, Titular Emperor of Costantinople.

Son of Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples, and Mary, daughter of Stephen IV., King of Hungary.

Life of Philip of Taranto

1278 Philip is born on the 10th of November, in Naples

1294 In September, in L'Aquila, Philip marries Thamar Angela Komnene Dukaina, daughter of Nicephoros I Dukas Komnenos, despot of Epirus, and Anna Kantakuzene; with this marriage, Philip becomes leader of the Aetholian league and Prince of Corfu. He also buys the title and much of the possessions of the Despotate of Epirus

1299 Philip is defeated and taken prisoner in the battle of La Falconara by Frederick III of Sicily

1301 Philip receives the Principality of Achaea and the Kingdom of Albania from his father, but must give the former to Philip of Savoy

1307 Philip regains the Principality of Achaea

1312 Philip drops his claims on the despotate of Epirus

1313 Philip marries Catherine, daughter of Charles of Valois, and becomes Titular Emperor of Costantinople

1332 Philip dies on the 23 december, in Naples

Wives and sons

Sons of his first marriage (1296), with Thamar Angela, ended with a divorce (1309):

• Charles (1296-1315), Prince of Achaia, Vicar of Romania
• Philip (1297-1330), Despot of Romania
• Jeanne (1297-1317), married to Oshim I, king of Armenia
• Marguerite (1298-1340), married to Gautier VI de Brienne, Duke of Athens
• Robert (1299-1364), Prince of Taranto, Titular Emperor of Costantinople
• Bianca (1309-1337), married to Ramon Berenguer of Aragon

Sons of his second marriage (1313), with Catherine of Valois:

• Louis (1320-1362), Prince of Taranto and King of Naples
• Mary (1327- died young)
• Philip II (1329)