In "Joan of Naples," Alexandre Dumas depicts the turbulent reign of Queen Joanna I of Naples (1325-1382), a strong and divisive figure in medieval Italy, whose personal influence was crucially linked with the political instability (and ultimate demise) of the Kingdom of Naples.

The story traces Joan's development from a young, innocent princess; to her first marriage and first regrets; into a fierce monarch contending with an intricate web of powerful lovers and political intrigues; culminating in her betrayal and assassination.

Dumas paints medieval Naples in all its illusions and reality, its courtly grandeur and cynical peril. He examines topics like authority, love, loyalty, and self-sacrifice while engrossing readers in a fusion of fact and fiction. The story was first published as part of Dumas' eight-volume series *Celebrated Crimes* (1839–40).

Joan of Naples:

* [kindle](https://www.amazon.com/Naples-Celebrated-Crimes-Alexandre-Dumas-ebook/dp/B0084AZQCK)
* [Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2750)
* [Google books](https://www.google.com/books/edition/Celebrated_Crimes/3ewXAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0)
* [Librivox](https://librivox.org/celebrated-crimes-vol-6-part-1-joan-of-naples-by-alexandre-dumas/) 3h43m

Extracts:

* "And Queen Joanna, queen and bride, / Sat in her casement by the sea, / Twining three strands of silk and gold / Into a cord how softly strung. / “For what this dainty rope, sweet wife?” / It was the bridegroom who had stolen / Behind her chair, and now first spoke. / “To hang you with, Andrea,” she said" ("Naples In the Time of Bomba")

This meetup is part of the series [The Risorgimento](https://www.meetup.com/wisdom-and-woe/events/304318119/).

Chad Beck

Betty

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