Mary of Enghien

Probably born in Lecce, she was the daughter of John of Enghien, Count of Castro, and Sancia Del Balzo. Her father was the third son of Isabella of Brienne (who died in 1360) and her husband Walter of Enghien (who had died in 1345).

Her paternal grandmother Isabella survived her brother Walter VI of Brienne, titular Duke of Athens etc., who died without surviving issue in 1356 at the Battle of Poitiers. As his heir, she became Countess of Lecce and Brienne etc., as well as titular Duchess of Athens. Since her eldest son Walter had died before her brother, her heir was her second son Sohier of Enghien. She allowed her inherited lands to be divided between her numerous children during her own lifetime. Mary's father, the third (but second surviving) son, had received the County of Lecce and the lordship of Castro.

Mary's father John died in 1380, leaving minor children. Mary's brother Peter of Enghien, also called Pyrrhus (Pyrro or Pirro), became the Count of Lecce. However, Peter died childless in 1384 and was succeeded by Mary and her husband Raimondo del Balzo Orsini di Nola, whom she married that same year in Taranto.

Chroniclers describe her as beautiful, intrepid and adventurous: adored by her children, loved by her first husband, besieged by King Ladislaus of Naples, and treated cruelly by the king's sister.

She stayed in her castles of Lecce and Copertino when Raimondo travelled, and gave his services to the king against the papal troops and supporters of the junior Angevin line. She was occupied by their children, Marias, Caterina, Giovanni Antonio, and Gabriele.

Raimondo was created Prince of Taranto (in her hereditary rights) and died in 1406.

After her husband's death, she was besieged in Taranto (1406) and resisted the troops of Ladislaus till he decided to propose marriage to her. Thus forced to marry Ladislaus, the wedding was held in the chapel of the Castle of Taranto. Her second marriage was childless. Ladislaus died on 6 August 1414; his sister and successor Joan II of Naples, described as cruel, hated Mary and imprisoned her. Joan's husband James II, Count of La Marche, however, soon allowed Mary to go. She returned to Lecce, Joan having driven her and her children from the royal domains back to Tarentine lands.

Mary lived a long life, dying at the age of 78 in Lecce. She witnessed the marriage of her granddaughter Isabella of Clermont, daughter of Tristan and Catherine and an heiress of remarkable feudal possessions in Southern Italy, to Ferdinand of Aragon in 1444. He was the bastard son of King Alfonso V of Aragon, who had conquered Southern Italy in 1441.