Francesca Morosini (

fl. ''Floruit'' (; abbreviated fl. or occasionally flor.; from Latin for "they flourished") denotes a date or period during which a person was known to have been alive or active. In English, the unabbreviated word may also be used as a noun indicatin ...

1454), was a Duchess consort of Naxos by marriage to John II Crispo. She served as

guardian Guardian usually refers to: * Legal guardian, a person with the authority and duty to care for the interests of another * ''The Guardian'', a British daily newspaper (The) Guardian(s) may also refer to: Places * Guardian, West Virginia, Unite ...

of her son Giacomo II Crispo from 1433 during his minority . She was described as a "masterful woman", who continued to influence in the affairs of state during the reign of her son and grandson until the accession of William II to the throne in 1453. In 1447, she claimed the post of regent for her grandson Gian Giacomo, but Niccolo of Syra and Santorin and William of Anaphe had her imprisoned and resumed regency with the support of Venice. When Niccolo died, Francesca Morosini, the archbishop and the Naxians elected his son Francesco in his place in the regency and successfully asked Venice to ratify it. After the succession of William II in 1453, the dowager duchess Francesca retired to Venice after having founded the church and monastery of St Antonio, bestowed to the Knights of St John in 1452.Miller, William. The Latins in the Levant: A History of Frankish Greece (1204–1566). London: 1908. ; Issue: * Adriana Crispo, married to Domenico Sommaripa (–1466) * Giacomo II Crispo * Caterina Crispo (d. 1454), unmarried and without issue

References

{{Reflist * Miller, William. The Latins in the Levant: A History of Frankish Greece (1204–1566). London: 1908. 15th-century women regents 15th-century regents Women from the Crusader states People from the Duchy of the Archipelago