Andrew II of Naples

Andrew II of Naples: Duke of Naples (AD 834-840). Andrew came to power in September of 834 when he overthrew Duke Leo. After he refused to pay tribute to Prince Sicard of Benevento, the latter lay siege to Naples (May-July 835). Sicard broke off the siege when a new agreement was made with Andrew. In the following year, however, Sicard returned and renewed the siege. In desperation Andrew hired Saracen mercenaries from Sicily, becoming the first prince on the Italian mainland to do so.

On July 4, 836, Andrew signed a peace treaty (the Pactum Sicardi) with Sicard and the duchies of Amalfi and Sorrento. This agreement was supposed to last for 5 years and was meant to permit merchants from the Greek coastal cities to peacefully do business within the principality of Benevento. The agreement, however, did not end the dispute between Andrew and Sicard. In 837, a new war broke out between the two leaders, during which Andrew again hired Saracen mercenaries.

In the summer of 839 Sicard died, but Andrew remained in danger of renewed Lombard hostilities. He asked for help from King Lothair of Italy who sent a noble name Contradus to Naples as his representative. This action only worsened the situation when Contradus showed himself to be unscrupulous and power-hungry. Andrew attempted to placate him by offering Contradus the hand of his daughter Eupraxia. Contradus agreed to the arrangement but then became enraged when Andrew postponed the marriage. In March, 840 Contradus led his own revolt, killing Andrew and usurping power in Naples.