70

At the time of the Great Western Schism, the dukes of Valois d’Anjou tried several times to establish themselves in the Kingdom of Naples, vassal to the Holy See. With the support of the Avignon popes, they received regular financial aid in addition to the concession of the royal title. If this recognition allowed them to legitimize their war of conquest and thereby reconcile the backing of many Neapolitan feudal lords, it came with the duty of throwing the pope in Rome under the throne of Saint Peter. However, in spite of promises made in this guise, the Dukes of Anjou showed little inclination to direct its army toward Lazio. In sum, if the justification at the basis of all of the Angevine military campaigns was indispensable for their existence, it was of little factual consequence.