Manfred of Sicily

“{{Wikipedia-inline|Manfred, King of Sicily}}”

“Frederick died toiling on at the oar, and the pope shouted with joy at the news. His son Conrad only showed himself in Italy to meet his death. Thus the empire escaped out of the hands of this family; ... but the kingdom of Naples remained in the grasp of the bastard Manfred, the true son of Frederick II, brilliant, witty, and debauched, impious as his father, a man apart, whom none hated or loved by halves. He gloried in being a bastard, like numerous heroes and gods of antiquity.”

“Comely, and fair, and gentle of aspectHe seem'd . . . .   then smiling spoke;'I am Manfredi . . . .   When by two mortal blowsMy frame was shatter'd, I betook myselfWeeping to him, who of free will forgives. . . . . . . Had this text divineBeen of Cosenza's shepherd better scanned,Who then by Clement on my hunt was set,Yet at the bridge's head my bones had lainNear Benevento, by the heavy moleProtected; but the rain now drenches them,And the wind drives.'”

“On seeing his men in flight, Manfred desired to die. As he was fastening on his helm, it twice slipt and fell. "Hoc est signum Dei," ('tis the hand of God,) was his exclamation, and, throwing himself into the midst of the French, he met his death.”

“In his flight in the year 1254, he could find refuge only at Luceria; where he was welcomed by the Saracens with transports of joy. Before the battle, Manfred sent ambassadors to effect a negotiation. Charles told them, "Go, tell the sultan of Nocera that I desire battle only, and that this very day I will either send him to hell, or he shall send me to Paradise."”