Manfred
King of Naples and Sicily; born in Sicily, about 1232. He was a natural son of the Emperor Frederick II. After the death of his brother Conrad, he became regent of the kingdom, during the minority of Conradin, his nephew. Pope Innocent IV. exciting a revolt against him, he was driven from his kingdom; but he reconquered it a year afterward, and caused himself to be crowned in 1258. Pope Urban IV. exexcommunicated him, and offered his kingdom to Charles of Anjou. Manfred perished in a desperate battle with the latter near Benevento, in 1266.