Editing Manfred, King of Sicily (section)

==Early life==

Manfred was born in [[Venosa]]. Frederick II appears to have regarded him as legitimate, and by his [[will (law)|will]] named him as [[Principality of Taranto|Prince of Taranto]].{{sfn|Runciman | 1958 | p=27}} Frederick named Manfred's half-brother [[Conrad IV of Germany|Conrad IV]] king of Germany, Italy and Sicily, but Manfred was regent of Sicily while Conrad was in Germany.{{sfn|Abulafia|1992|p=406}} Manfred, who initially bore his mother's surname, studied in [[Paris]] and [[Bologna]] and shared with his father a love of poetry and science.

At Frederick's death in 1250, Manfred, although only about 18 years old, acted loyally and with vigour in the execution of his trust. The Kingdom was in turmoil, mainly due to rebellions spurred by [[Pope Innocent IV]]. Manfred was able to subdue numerous rebel cities, with the exception of [[Naples]].{{sfn|Runciman | 1958 | pp= 28–29}} Manfred attempted in 1251 to make concessions to Pope Innocent to stave off the prospect of war, but the attempt failed.{{sfn|Lomax|2013|p=440}} When [[Conrad IV of Germany|Conrad IV]], Manfred's legitimate brother, appeared in southern Italy in 1252, his authority was quickly and generally acknowledged.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|page=568}} Conrad quickly stripped Manfred of all his fiefs by limiting his authority solely to the principality of Taranto.{{sfn|Lomax|2013|p=440}} In October 1253, Naples fell into the hands of Conrad. Conrad made the pope the guardian of [[Conradin]], his infant son, and named the Margrave [[Berthold of Hohenberg]], a powerful German baron,{{sfn|Lomax|2013|p=440}} as Conradin's [[regent]].{{sfn|Previté-Orton|1975|p=696}}{{efn-ua|{{harvtxt|Lomax|2013|p=440}} gives Berthold's title as [[bailiff]]. {{harvtxt|Venning| Frankopan|2015|p=335}} asserts that Berthold was Conradin's regent over [[Apulia]] but [[Pietro Ruffo]] the regent over Sicily.}}

In May 1254 Conrad died of [[malaria]]{{sfn|Fried| 2015 |p=282}} at the age of twenty-six.{{sfn|Venning|Frankopan| 2015 |p=335}} Manfred, after refusing to surrender Sicily to Innocent IV, accepted the regency on behalf of Conradin.{{sfn| Kelly |Walsh | 2010|p= 195}} The pope however, having been named guardian of Conradin, [[excommunication|excommunicated]] Manfred in July 1254.{{sfn|Lomax|2013|p=440}} The regent decided to open negotiations with Innocent. As part of a treaty made in September 1254, Manfred submitted, and accepted the title of Papal vicar for southern Italy{{sfn|Berg|1993|p=113}} But Manfred—his suspicions aroused by the demeanour of the papal retinue and annoyed by the occupation of [[Campania]] by papal troops—fled to the [[Saracens]] at [[Lucera]]. Aided by Saracen allies, he defeated the papal army at [[Foggia]] on 2&nbsp;December 1254,{{sfn|Domenico |2002 |p=25}} and soon established his authority over Sicily and the Sicilian possessions on the mainland.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|page=568}} In that year Manfred supported the [[Ghibelline]] communes in Tuscany, in particular [[Siena]], to which he provided a corps of German knights that was later instrumental in the defeat of [[Florence]] at the [[Battle of Montaperti]]. He thus reached the status of patron of the Ghibelline League. Also in that year Innocent died, succeeded by [[Pope Alexander IV|Alexander IV]], who immediately excommunicated Manfred.{{sfn| Kelly |Walsh | 2010|p= 195}} In 1257, however, Manfred crushed the papal army and settled all the rebellions, imposing his firm rule of southern Italy and receiving the title of [[vicar]] from Conradin.

<gallery>
Manfred siegel.jpg|Seal of Manfred
Arms of King Manfred of Sicily.svg|[[Coat of arms]] of King Manfred
</gallery>