Manfred of Sicily
Manfred of Sicily was a 13th-century nobleman and the last King of Sicily from the Hohenstaufen dynasty. Born in 1232, he was the illegitimate son of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor. Manfred ruled from 1258 until his death in 1266, focusing on consolidating power and promoting cultural and economic development in Sicily.
His reign was marked by conflict, particularly with the Papal States and the Angevins, who sought to control Sicily. Manfred's efforts to strengthen his kingdom ultimately led to his defeat at the Battle of Benevento, where he was killed, ending the Hohenstaufen rule in Sicily.