Naples, Kingdom of

The southern part of Italy, alternately independent and united with Sicily in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Naples was united with Sicily 1140-1282, first under Norman rule 1130-94, then Hohenstaufen 1194-1266, then Angevin from 1268; apart from Sicily, but under continued Angevin rule to 1435; reunited with Sicily 1442-1503, under the house of Aragón to 1501; a Spanish Habsburg possession 1504-1707 and Austrian 1707-35; under Spanish Bourbon rule 1735-99. The Neapolitan Republic was established 1799 after Napoleon had left Italy for Egypt, but fell after five months to the forces of reaction under Cardinal Ruffo, with the British admiral Nelson blockading the city by sea; many prominent citizens were massacred after the capitulation. The Spanish Bourbons were restored 1799, 1802-05, and 1815-60, when Naples joined the Kingdom of Italy.