Alfonso V of Aragón and Sicily

Alfonso V of Aragón and Sicily, called The Magnanimous (1396-1458), King of Aragón and Sicily (1416-1458), and also Alfonso I, King of Naples (1443-1458). He was the son of King Ferdinand I of Aragón. He earned his nickname when, upon his ascent to the throne, he destroyed a list containing the names of nobles who had been hostile to him. He is renowned chiefly for having brought southern Italy under the dominion of Aragón. In 1420 Alfonso attacked Corsica, but hastened to Naples at the request of its queen, Joanna II, who, in return for his assistance against Louis III of Anjou, named Alfonso her heir. In 1423 the queen transferred her favour from Alfonso to his rival, Louis. On her death in 1435 Alfonso claimed the kingdom, but Duke René of Anjou, successor of Louis, opposed him. The pope and Genoa sided with René. The Genoese fleet defeated the fleet of Aragón, and Alfonso was captured. He was sent to Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, who set him at liberty and formed an alliance with him. After several battles Alfonso defeated René and entered Naples in triumph, transferring his court there and becoming the founder of Spanish power in Italy as Alfonso I.