Philip of Taranto, having been named vicar-general of the Kingdom of Sicily by his father, Charles II of Naples, on July 12, 1294, had taken over preparations for a general invasion of the island.
Landing in November 1299 with about fifty galleys and numerous militia and noblemen, he besieges Trapani.
Frederick loses no time in assembling the able-bodied citizenry and his own troops at Castrogiovanni and marching to relieve Trapani.
The armies meet on the plain of Falconaria, between Marsala and Trapani.
Frederick’s forces triumph, and Philip is captured.
