1259 Alexander IV excommunicates Manfred.
1260 Manfred sends aid to the exiled Ghibellines of Florence, enabling them to win the battle of Montaperti.
1263 Pope Urban IV offers Sicily and Apulia to Charles of Anjou, brother of Louis IX of France.
1264 The pope proclaims a crusade against Manfred.
1265 Charles of Anjou is crowned king of Sicily at Rome by the pope. With an army of crusaders he proceeds against Manfred.
The House of Anjou (1266-1282 A.D.)
1266 Defeat and death of Manfred at battle of Benevento. Charles I acknowledged king. He enters Naples in triumph. The seat of government is transferred from Palermo to Naples. Charles at once makes himself unpopular by his oppression.
1267 The pope makes Charles ruler of Tuscany and the citizens of Florence offer him the signoria for ten years. The Ghibellines induce Conradin to enter Italy and proceed against Charles.
1268 Defeat and capture of Conradin at the battle of Tagliacozzo. Conradin beheaded at Naples. This disaster crushes the hopes of the Ghibellines in Italy. Louis IX and Pope Clement IV protest against Charles’ cruelties.
1269 Charles captures Nocera and scatters the Saracen population.