Manfred

Manfred, a natural son of the Emperor Frederick II. and Bianca Lanzia, was born about 1231. He was created Prince of Tarentum by his father, and at his death Regent of the two Sicilies during the absence of his half-brother, the Emperor Conrad IV. He defended Sicily and Apulia against Pope Innocent IV., and in 1258, when Conradin, son and successor of Conrad IV., was supposed to have died, was proclaimed king. Even when assured of the death of his nephew, he refused to surrender his power, though protesting he would do so on his death; and he was excommunicated by Pope Alexander in 1259. Manfred defeated the troops of the Holy See at Monte Aperto, but was again excommunicated in 1261. Two years later his crown was offered by Urban IV. to Charles of Anjou, and a "crusade" was proclaimed, the result of which was the defeat and death of Manfred at Benevento in 1266.