Ferdinand I., king of Naples, illegitimate son of Alfonso the Magnanimous, born about 1424, died Jan. 25, 1494. His father, who had ruled both Naples and Sicily, as well as Ara-gon and Sardinia, bequeathed to him at his death in 1458 the throne of Naples. His reign was troubled, and the nobles conspired to aid John of Anjou in a descent upon the country. Ferdinand lost the battle of Nola in 1460, escaped to Naples with but 20 followers, and was reduced to the last extremity. He was, however, favored by Pope Pius II. and by Francesco S'forza, duke of Milan; and his partisans were greatly strengthened by the alliance of the Albanian chieftain Scanderbeg, who put himself at the head of the army of Ferdinand, defeated John of Anjou at Troja in 1462, and forced him to leave Italy. Ferdinand was cruel and revengeful. Count Piccinino was one of his illustrious victims. In this reign the Turks made a descent upon Italy and captured Otranto in 1480, but Ferdinand recovered this city from them in 1481. Five years later the nobles revolted, and Ferdinand, after yielding to their demands, refused to fulfil his promises, and put the leader of the revolt to death.

He was excommunicated by Pope Innocent VIII. in 1489, but regained his favor in 1402, and died while the formidable expedition of Charles VIII. of France was preparing to set out toward Italy.