Parents: Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, and Bianca Lancia
House: Hohenstaufen
Spouse: Beatrice of Savoy, then Helena Doukaina
Reign: 1258 – 1266
Predecessor: Conradin
Summary: Manfred was the illegitimate son of the Emperor Frederick II, though his mother, Bianca, probably married his father upon his father's deathbed. Manfred began as a supporter of his legitimate brother, Conrad IV, Holy Roman Emperor, in his campaigns in southern Italy, but Conrad became distrustful and eventually locked Manfred in his lands of Taranto. Conrad died in 1254 of malaria and Manfred became the regent for Conrad's son, Conradin. Pope Innocent IV disliked this move by the king's uncle and excommunicated Manfred. Manfred feigned a treaty with the pope then attacked him with hired Saracens who helped him retake Sicily from the papal forces. When Innocent died in 1257, Manfred was excommunicated again by the new pope, Alexander IV, but Manfred again defeated the papal army and imposed his rule over Sicily. Rumours soon spread that Conradin was dead, and Manfred used this opportunity to claim the Sicilian crown for himself at Palermo on August 10, 1957.
Immediately the truth of the scandal was felt across Italy, but Manfred refused to abdicate. The pope, furious over Manfred's use of Saracens to attack Catholic enemies, declared the coronation void and reemphasized the pretender's excommunication. Meanwhile, Manfred established a presence in Tuscany in northern Italy and allied with the Argonese. The next pope, Urban IV, excommunicated the king again and attempted to sell Sicily to Richard of Cornwall, the king of Germany. Charles, count of Anjou, was the next opportunist who took the offer, and he invaded Italy with an army 30,000 strong. At the Battle of Benevento, Manfred and his army was defeated and the king killed. His son-in-law, Peter, later was elected king when the French were removed.
Immediately the truth of the scandal was felt across Italy, but Manfred refused to abdicate. The pope, furious over Manfred's use of Saracens to attack Catholic enemies, declared the coronation void and reemphasized the pretender's excommunication. Meanwhile, Manfred established a presence in Tuscany in northern Italy and allied with the Argonese. The next pope, Urban IV, excommunicated the king again and attempted to sell Sicily to Richard of Cornwall, the king of Germany. Charles, count of Anjou, was the next opportunist who took the offer, and he invaded Italy with an army 30,000 strong. At the Battle of Benevento, Manfred and his army was defeated and the king killed. His son-in-law, Peter, later was elected king when the French were removed.
Date of Death: 26 February 1266
Successor: Charles I
Other Monarchs Who Died Today:
- Roger II, king of Sicily (1154)
- Eric XIV, king of Sweden (1577)
- Maximilian II Amanuel, elector of Bavaria (1726)
- Mohammed V, king of Morocco (1961)
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