Blasco II de Alagona

Who was Blasco II de Alagona?

Blasco II de Alagona, called the Young, was a very influential nobleman in fourteenth century Sicily. He was probably born in Sicily, of an Aragonese family. He succeeded his father Blasco I.

Blasco was very close to the ruling house, also of Aragonese origin, and received many favours from them. The Alagona family was the most powerful in Catania at first and then eastern and eventually, under Blasco II, all of Sicily. In 1320, Frederick II of Sicily ceded the Castle of Aci, expropriated from Margherita, descendant of the Admiral Roger of Lauria, to Blasco. In 1326, Blasco defended the city of Palermo from the Angevins. While there, Beltrando del Balzo pillaged Aci.

During the reign of Peter II, Blasco was the Grand Justiciar of the realm. Giovanni of Randazzo, brother of Peter, appointed him regent for his nephew, the young King Louis. As regent, Blasco was opposed by Matteo Palizzi, lord of Tripi and Saponara and vicar of the realm. He was killed in a revolt of Messina in 1355. He was succeeded by his son Artale I.