Raimondo Orsini del Balzo

Raimondo Orsini del Balzo (also known as Raimondello; 1350–55 – 17 January 1406) was a nobleman from the Kingdom of Naples. He was Count of Soleto, Prince of Taranto (1399–1406), Duke of Bari, Grand Constable of the Kingdom of Naples, Gonfalonier of the Holy Roman Church (1385, confirmed in 1399 together with the principality of Taranto). He was a member of the influential Orsini family of Rome. Although he is considered one of the most important people in the history of southern Italy, relatively little is known about his life.

Biography Raimondo was born in Taranto, the second son of Nicola Orsini (1331–1399), 3rd Count of Nola, grand Justiciar and also Grand Chancellor of the Kingdom of Naples, and his wife Giovanna of Sabran. His paternal grandparents were Roberto Orsini di Nola (1295–1345), 2nd Count of Nola, Grand Justiciar of Naples, and the heiress Sveva Del Balzo (born in the first years of 14th century), Countess of Soleto, heiress of des Baux. Innocent excommunicated Ladislaus, but offered to pardon any of Louis II's supporters who came to his side, which Raimondo did, but he died soon afterwards on 17 January 1406, before Ladislaus had even learned of Raimondo's betrayal.

Raimondo is buried at the church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria in Galatina, which he had commissioned, together with his son and heir Giovanni Antonio.

Despite having been one of the most important people in the history of southern Italy, there has been little scholarship done on Raimondo's life. One reason for this is that there are only six surviving documents from his years in the government of the Kingdom of Naples. This is likely due to his being declared a nonperson by Ladislaus, resulting in the destruction of many sources that would give insight into his life.

List of titles Prince of Taranto Count of Soleto Dominus of the Counties of Lecce and Veglie Baron of Acerra, Altamura, Lavello, Locorotondo, Minervino, Trevico, and Tricase Duke of Bari Gonfalonier of the Church Chamberlain of the King of Naples Captain general of the Terra di Otranto Member of the Order of the Ship Member of the Teutonic Order In addition to the above, he was lord (both de facto and de jure) of a number of other localities. He was said to be the second-most powerful and possibly the richest man in the Kingdom of Naples.

Family Raimondello and Mary had the following children:

Giovanni Antonio (1386–1463), Prince of Taranto, Duke of Bari, Count of Lecce, Acerra, Soleto, Conversano, also 1443 count of Matera, 1453 Ugento. Maria del Balzo Orsini, married Antonio Acquaviva, 2nd Duke of Atri. Apparently childless. Caterina del Balzo Orsini, married Bartolomeo (also known as Tristano) di Chiaramonte (de Clermont), Count of Copertino (1380 - c. 1432) Gabriele (died 1453), Count of Ugento 1434, 1st Duke of Venosa 1441, Count of Lecce, Neapolitan General and Admiral. Married 1431 Giovanna (Ippolita) Caracciolo del Sole dei Duchi di Melfi, daughter of Sergianni Caracciolo dei Duchi di Melfi, Grand Seneschal of Kingdom of Sicily, and his wife Caterina Filangieri.