Maria was Queen of Sicily and Duchess of Athens and Neopatria from 1377 until her death.
Background
Born in Catania, she was the daughter and heir of Frederick the Simple by his first wife Constance of Aragon. As she was very young at the time of her father"s death in 1377, her government was effectively taken over by four baronial families who styled themselves "vicars".
Career
The regent named by Maria"s father, Artale Alagona, was initially forced to form a government with other three Vicars, including Francesco II count of Ventimiglia, Manfredi III Chiaramonte, count of Modica, and Guglielmo Peralta, count of Caltabellotta, with a parity of exponents of the "Italian" and "Aragonese" parties. However, the four men ruled in their separate baronial lands alone. Montcada"s move had been approved by King Peter IV of Aragon.
In 1392 Maria and Martin returned with a military force and defeated the opposing barons, ruling jointly until Maria"s death in 1401.
At that time, Martin repudiated the Treaty of Villeneuve (1372) and ruled Sicily alone. Maria of Sicily died at Lentini in 1401.