The second southern line Orsini family

the tower of raimondello orsini in taranto, c. 1880.

roberto (1295–1345), gentile ii s grandson, married sibilla del balzo, daughter of great senechal of kingdom of naples. among sons, giacomo (died 13 august 1379; dean of salisbury, archdeacon of leicester , archdeacon of durham) created cardinal gregory xi in 1371, while nicola (august 27, 1331 – february 14, 1399) obtained counties of ariano , celano. latter senator of rome , enlarged family territories in lazio , tuscany.

his second son, raimondello orsini del balzo, supported charles iii coup d état in naples against queen joan i. under king ladislaus among few neapolitan feudataries able maintain territorial power after royal war against them. however, @ death in 1406 southern orsini fiefs confiscated. relationships royal family remained cold under joan ii; however, when raimondello s son giannantonio (1386–1453) sent troops against usurpation attempt of james of bourbon, received in exchange principality of taranto.

the links court increased further under sergianni caracciolo, joan s lover , great senechal. younger brother of giannantonio married 1 of sergianni s daughters. however, orsini changed side when alfonso v of aragon started conquest of kingdom of naples. giannantonio awarded duchy of bari, position of great connestable , appanage of 100,000 ducati. giannantonio remained faithful alfonso s heir, ferdinand i, killed during revolt of nobles. having died without legitimate sons, of possessions absorbed royal chamber.