Manfredi (noble family)

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Coat of arms of the Manfredi family

The Manfredi were an Italian aristocratic family that referred to German origins, appeared in documents as early as the middle of the 11th century, played a leading role for over 400 years in Faenza , a town in Romagna , as patricians and leaders of the Guelph party, which was friendly to the pope and ruled this city from 1313 to 1503 with short interruptions after a long struggle with rivals from the party of the imperial-friendly Ghibellines . Initially as elected representatives with the title "Capitano del Popolo" and later with the title "Signore Sovrano" (immediate lord) and vicar of the Pope. Since the beginning of the 15th century, the Manfredi also carried the title "Count of Brisighella and Val di Lamone". Within the scope of their possibilities, the Manfredi have also made a significant contribution to the cultural and economic development of Faenza, where today the newly built cathedral in particular commemorates them.

origin

As with all old families, there are also various legends relating to the Manfredi about the origin of the family, the extremes of which can be traced back to flattering supporters or opponents of the family who wanted to reduce the family's reputation. The first group includes the claim that the Manfredi were of Byzantine origin and came to Faenza from Constantinople . However, there is not the slightest hint of this. At the other extreme, there is the legend that their progenitor was a bath from Reggio nell'Emilia , for which there are no useful references either. Somewhat more likely is the thesis of a Lombard origin, for which there is no direct evidence, but for which the fact that the name of the family and the motto “If I do” are of Germanic origin could speak.

What is certain is that the family is documented in Faenza as early as the 11th century with Manfredo di Guido, who, when he died before May 7th 1050, was one of the most respected citizens of Faenza.

history

Rise from the patriciate to rule

The Manfredi family belonged to the aristocratic patriciate of the city of Faenza and had considerable wealth early on, as Guido di Alberigo Manfredi († after 1174) was able to accommodate Emperor Friedrich I Barbarossa in the family palazzo on the occasion of his visit to Faenza. Members of the family also exercised public functions in the city at an early stage, as Enrico di Alberigo Manfredi was sent to Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa in 1167 as the city's ambassador and in 1185 appears as the city's “consul”. His son Alberico di Enrico Manfredi was Podestà of the city of Faenza in 1211. However, the family did not limit itself to the role of the urban patriciate, but also acquired extensive estates, with Brisighella, Quarneto and Baccagno being among the oldest possessions acquired in the 13th century. With the development of political ambitions, the family inevitably became part of the internal party struggles in Italy, where the Ghibellines loyal to the emperor or the Guelphs loyal to the Pope had the upper hand, depending on how successful the Roman-German kings , who moved to Italy at irregular intervals , had the upper hand Enforcement of their claims were. With Alberico di Guido Manfredi († 1145), the Manfredi provided one of the leading representatives of the Guelphs loyal to the Pope in the 12th century and remained true to this tradition. As a result, in Faenza they regularly came into conflict with the Ghibelline counterparty, whose most important representative was the Accarisi family, which degenerated into a never-ending mutual vendetta, not just for individual members of the family - such as Enrico di Alberigo Manfredi († 1257) - cost his life, but led to the Manfredi being expelled from the city several times.

Dominion over Faenza

Astorre Manfredi di Mino da Fiesole (1455, National Gallery of Art , Washington DC)

The skillful exploitation of these circumstances made it possible for Francesco I. Manfredi to come to power by democratic means through popular elections in Faenza with the title "Capitano del Popolo". However, the dependence on the fluctuating benevolence of the population did not seem to him to be a stable basis for permanent rule, which is why he - without any papal or imperial authorization - in 1319 as "Signore Sovrano" (ie, the immediate, subordinate lord only to the Pope, none Choice more required) in Faenza and Imola. Francesco I. Manfredi established his family's rule over the city of Faenza, which, with interruptions, would last until 1503. With the takeover of power in Faenza, however, the family's dependence on the changing political climate in Italy increased. There the internal party struggle between the Guelphs and Ghibellines was additionally caused by the so-called "Babylonian captivity" of the popes in Avignon (1305-1377) and the occidental schism in which at least two rival popes faced each other from 1378 to 1449, who fought each other through their followers and at times waged proxy wars, intensified. In addition, the rulers of Milan and Naples had alternating changes to great power, which were accentuated by the interests of France in Italy and by the finally successful efforts of the popes to assert direct control over their possessions in Italy. Despite these difficulties, Francesco I. Manfredi was followed by no less than 10 members of his family, who initially ruled as presumptuous lords of Faenza, but later legally, as papal vicars (similar to the Malatesta in Rimini ).

Interruptions in rule

Cardinal Albornoz on the title plate of a printed book from the Biblioteca nacional de Madrid

The various interruptions to which it was subjected show that this rule was not undisputed. As early as 1327 it seemed as if the presumptuous rule of the Manfredi over Faenza and Forli would come to a quick end when Francesco I. Manfredi was forced to cede these cities to the war-tried cardinal legate Bertrand du Pouget . Despite the - initially unsuccessful - resistance of individual family members, this incident turned out to be only a ten-year break in rule. Another interruption threatened as early as 1349 when another papal legate, Hector de Durfort, tried to conquer Faenza. However, this could be prevented with the help of Francesco Ordelaffi, the Lord of Forli , the mercenary of the Swabian Condottiere Werner Duke of Urslingen († 1353/57) the captain of the "Great Company of Germans" - as well as the Ghibellines.

The next interruption of rule resulted from the successful military campaign of Cardinal Gil Álvarez de Albornoz y Luna (* around 1310, † 1367), appointed by the Pope as legate and vicar general in Italy , to place Romagna under the direct control of the Pope. Part of the Manfredi submitted in Montefiascone , while Giovanni and Guglielmo di Riccardo Manfredi offered resistance. As a result, there was not only their excommunication and even a call to a crusade against them. In view of the fact that Cardinal Albornoz was an experienced general who was not unjustifiably nicknamed the "second founder of the Papal States", these two Manfredi also had to submit in 1356 and go into exile. It was not until 1375 that they were able to return to Faenza with the help of Florence and the Lord of Milan, Bernabò Visconti (1323–1385).

John Hawkwood, fresco in Florence Cathedral

However, as this short return to power proved, because, captured a year later and plundered in 1376 from England coming condottiere John Hawkwood (Italian: "Giovanni Acuto") (* 1320/23, † 1394) Faenza, which then from Holy See was sold to the Marquis Niccolò II. D'Este (1361-1388). However, the Manfredi were not deterred., Astorre I. Manfredi († 1405) succeeded in 1378 to recapture Faenza by force. Despite this act of violence, he received it from Pope Urban VI in 1379. finally, the long-awaited legitimation of the Manfredi rule through the official appointment as papal vicar of Faenza and the associated territories. He and his successors therefore carried the proud title “Signore Sovrano e Vicario Pontifico di Faenza” (for example: sovereign lord and papal vicar of Faenza). Astorre was, however, on the orders of the papal legate Baldassare Cossa, the later antipope John XXIII. , Subdued in 1404 and beheaded as a rebel in the main square of Faenza in 1405. Giangaleazzo Manfredi, who ruled from 1410 to 1417 after a six-year break, received from Pope Gregory XII. with bull of January 28, 1412 hereditary enfeoffment with the county of the Valle di Lamone. He and his successors therefore also bore the title "Count of Brisighella and Val Lamone".

End of rule

The end of the rule of the Manfredi in Faenza came, as for many of the smaller and larger lords in Romagna, with Pope Alexander VI. (1492-1503). In 1499 he declared that all city lords of Romagna had lost their rights, since they owed him the recognition of papal suzerainty and the tribute. In fact, he was doing so much about the strengthening of the Papal States , as a matter of his son, Cesare Borgia , who was (* 1475/76, † 1507) provided as ruler of the Romagna to provide befitting. Faenza was trapped and besieged by Cesare Borgia in November 1500, but fell after long and violent resistance only after the Republic of Venice withdrew its support. The then lord of Faenza, Astorrre III. Manfredi and his half-brother Ottavio Manfredi were subsequently strangled on the orders of Cesare in the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome on June 9, 1502 and found murdered in the Tiber on June 12 . After the death of Pope Alexander VI. and the disempowerment of Cesare, a brother of Ottavio, Francesco Manfredi, with the name Astorre IV. took power as the 11th lord in Faenza in October 1503, but from there on November 19 of the same year he became an ally of his house - the Republic of Venice - expelled. But Venice was not to enjoy this rule for long, as it lost Faenza to the Papal States after its defeat by the troops of the League of Cambrai . There, in 1509, the former domain of the Manfredi was finally incorporated.

Cultural meaning

However, the Manfredi were not only more or less tyrannical city lords, but were, in keeping with the spirit of the times in Italy, within the scope of their not exactly overwhelming means - the city of Faenza had barely more than 7,000 inhabitants in the Middle Ages - also carriers and promoters of an upscale culture. The family itself provided Ugolino Manfredi, called Bocciuola, also Buzzola († January 8, 1301), a man who was not only a general, courtier and politician (including Podestá von Bagnacavallo), but a poet who was highly respected among contemporaries, who himself was Dante Alighieri is praised in his work “De vulgari eloquentia”. A hundred years later, under Astorre I. Manfredi († 1405), there was a cultural boom. a. the influence of the poet Franco Sacchetti (1332–1400) contributed. Although he lived mainly in Florence , he was Podestà of Faenza in 1396. He was in close contact with Astorre I. Manfredi and exchanged sonnets with him, who was himself a passable poet. In his main work "Trecentonovelle" he described a. a. the government of Francesco I. Manfredi.

Portrait of Giuliano da Maiano from the Vite des Vasari

Following the example of Lorenzo il Magnifico (1449–1492) in Florence, various of the regional lords of the city had started building their own libraries, such as the Malatesta in Cesena , the Este in Ferrara and the Montefeltro in Urbino . Even at the Manfredi's small farm in Faenza, they did not want to lag behind the others in this regard. As early as 1442 - during the reign of Giangaleazzo II. Manfredi († 1465), a library in Faenza is mentioned for the first time, which was considerably expanded by his brother Astorre II. Manfredi († 1468). In 1476 there was already a printing press in Faenza, since a book was being printed there for the first time. However, this Manfredi court library had a sad fate. A little later - in 1490 - it was sold for a mere 240 ducats to a negotiator on behalf of Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary (1459–1490), who at that time had books bought up all over Europe. (P. 126). However, the famous library collected by King Matthias was  plundered and abducted a few decades later - in 1526 - after the Ottoman troops had conquered Buda , the capital of Hungary . Individual works were later acquired by collectors, larger remains were u. a. Bought by the imperial court library (now the Austrian National Library ) in Vienna. It can therefore be assumed that there are also some works from the Manfredi library there. The Manfredi in Faenza also left their mark on architecture. Gian Galeazzo II Manfredi had the family's palazzo expanded and a theater set up there for private performances.

inside view

Faenza Cathedral, San Pietro Apostolo, is probably the most important building in Faenza that goes back to the Manfredi. Impressed by the newly built churches in Florence, such as the Basilica di San Lorenzo designed by Filippo Brunelleschi (1377–1446) and the Basilica Santo Spirito , the sons of Astorre II, Carlo II and Federico commissioned Manfredi (since 1471 Bishop of Faenza ) the architect and sculptor Giuliano da Maiano (* 1432, † 1490 in Naples) with the new construction of the cathedral and obliged him to orientate himself on the famous models. The foundation stone was laid in 1474 by the two Manfredi brothers, but the construction was not completed until 1515 and it was never completed because the facade design is still missing today. Significant parts of the still preserved artistic equipment, especially works of fine art - u. a. by Giuliano da Maiano, Antonio Rosselino, Mino da Fiesole and even by Donatello go back to the patronage of Manfredi. At the same time, the Palazzo Manfredi - the former seat of the Capitano del Popolo - was redesigned by Giuliano da Maiano. Astorre II. Manfredi († 1468) set up a monument that still exists today with the renovation or construction of the city walls, as around three quarters of these are still preserved.

The city also benefited economically from the Manfredi rule. Of particular importance was the promotion of the manufacture of ceramics, which took off at that time. Giangaleazzo I. Manfredi († 1417) made a significant contribution to this in 1414 by issuing a separate statute for this craft, the "Arte della ceramica", and by recruiting capable masters. As a result, the production became so artistic and so popular that Faenza ceramics gained a great international reputation and so the genus faience came about . In 1491 Astorre III founded. the Monte di Pietá bank in Faenza. In other areas, too, such as the art of gold and silversmiths, the promotion of the Manfredi was evident, as shown by individual pieces that still exist in the treasure of the Cathedral of Faenza, which have the Manfredi coat of arms. The end of this remarkable cultural and economic prosperity and independence came with the incorporation into the Papal States, as Faenza not only lost its importance as a residential city, but also became a political and economic peripheral zone. The time of the Manfredi was transfigured as a kind of "golden age" in the following centuries.

The gentlemen from Faenza from the Manfredi family

Lorenzo di Credi : Caterina Sforza , mother-in-law of Astorre III. Manfredi, Pinacoteca Civica di Forlì, Italy

Francesco I. Manfredi († May 29, 1343) 1st Lord of Faenza (1313-1327), Lord of Imola (1314-1327), ⚭ Rengarda Malatesta († before 1311), a daughter of Malatesta II. Malatesta and Concordia Pandolfini

  1. Alberghetto II. Manfredi († November 18, 1329, beheaded at Bologna) 2nd lord of Faenza (1327–1328), ⚭ Jacopa degli Ubaldini, a daughter of Count Giovanni degli Ubaldini, lord of Palazzuolo sul Senio and of Valmaggiore
  2. Riccardo Manfredi († August 23, 1340 in Faenza), 3rd Lord of Faenza (1339-1340), ⚭ Diletta di Cunio, a daughter of Count Alberigo di Cunio,
    1. Giovanni Manfredi (* out of wedlock, from the relationship with Zeffirina Nordigli, 1324 in Imola, † in October 1371) 4th Lord of Faenza (1340–1356), ⚭ Ginevra dei Nobili di Mongardino.
      1. Astorre I. Manfredi († November 28, 1405, beheaded in Bologna ), 5th lord and (papal) vicar of Faenza (1379-1404), ⚭ Leta da Polenta († July 14, 1402), a daughter of Guido da Polenta , Lord of Ravenna and the Lisa d'Este.
        1. Giangaleazzo I. Manfredi († October 16, 1417 in Faenza), 6th lord and vicar of Faenza, Count of Brisighella and Val Lemone (1410–1417) ⚭ in September 1397 Gentile Malatesta († around 1450), a daughter of Galeotto Malatesta, Lord of Rimini , Fano and Cesena and the Elisabetta da Varano from the house of the Lords of Camerino
          1. Carlo I. Manfredi (* 1406 in Rimini, † around 1420), 7th Lord and Vicar of Faenza (together with his brothers), Count of Brisighella and Val Lemone (1417–1420), unmarried.
          2. Guidantonio Manfredi (* 1407 in Faenza, † June 20, 1443 in Bagni di Petriolo), 7th lord and vicar of Faenza (1417–1443) 1439 lord of Imola, count of Brisighella and of Val Lemone; ⚭ 1.) 1423 Bianchina Trinci († 1441 murdered), a daughter of Niccolò I Trinci, Lord of Fogliano, and the Tora da Varano from the house of the Lords of Camerino, ⚭ 2.) 1441/42 Agnesina da Montefeltro (* around 1425, † December 16, 1447), a daughter of Guidantonio da Montefeltro, Count of Montefeltro, Lord of Urbino and Caterina Colonna from the House of Paliano
          3. Astorre II. Manfredi (* December 8, 1412 in Faenza, † March 12, 1468 in Faenza), 7th lord and vicar of Faenza, Count of Brisighella and of Val Lemone (1417–1468) ruled together with his brothers until 1448, afterwards alone, ⚭ 1431 Giovanna da Barbiano (certified 1468), a daughter of Alberico da Barbiano , Count of Cunio and Belgioioso, and Antonia Manfredi from the house of the Lords of Faenza.
            1. Carlo II Manfredi (* 1439 in Faenza, † 1484 in Rimini at the plague), 8th Lord and Vicar of Faenza, Count of Brisighella and of Val Lemone (1468–1484) ⚭ August 9, 1471 Costanza da Varano († 1484 in Rimini at the plague) a daughter of Rodolfo Varano, papal vicar of Camerino and the Camilla d'Este.
            2. Galeotto Manfredi (* 1440 in Faenza, † May 31, 1488 in Faenza, murdered on behalf of his wife), 9th Lord and Vicar of Faenza, Count of Brisighella and Val Lemone (1484–1488), ⚭ 1481 in Bologna Francesca Bentivoglio († 1504); a daughter of Giovanni II Bentivoglio , Lord of Bologna, and Ginevra Sforza from the House of the Lords of Pesaro .
              1. Astorre III. Manfredi (married on June 20, 1485, † June 9, 1502 in Rome, strangled in the Castel Sant'Angelo), 10th Lord and Vicar of Faenza (1488–1502), ⚭ 1494 Bianca Riario -Sforza-Della Rovere (* 1478 in Forli, † after 1522), a daughter of Gerolamo Riario della Rovere, Lord of Imola and Forli and Caterina Sforza (1463–1509). However, the marriage was never consummated.
              2. Francesco, called Astorre IV. Manfredi (* out of wedlock of Cassandra Pavoni 1470, † December 24, 1509 in Ravenna), 11th lord of Faenza (October to November 19, 1503), ⚭ Beatrice di Carpegna, a daughter of Ugo di Carpegna, Count of Carogna, Lord of Scavolino, Gattara, Bascio and Miratoio and the Piera degli Arcani.
          4. Giangaleazzo II. Manfredi (* posthumously 1418 in Faenza, † 1465) 7th Lord and Vicar of Faenza, Count of Brisighella and of Val Lemone (1417–1448) (renounced), ⚭ 1455/61 in Mirandola Parisina Pico (* around 1440 , † after 1482 in Faenza), a daughter of Niccolo Pico, Lord of Mirandola and Beatrice Pallavicino.

literature

  • "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi", presentazione di Augusto Vasina, Faenza, Faenza editrice, 1990.
  • Wolfgang Kuhoff: Manfredi. In: Volker Reinhardt (ed.): The great families of Italy (= Kröner's pocket edition . Volume 485). Kröner, Stuttgart 1992, ISBN 3-520-48501-X , pp. 331-337.
  • Genealogy of the Manfredi.
  • Piero Zama, I Manfredi: signori di Faenza, Faenza 1954.

Individual evidence

Faience jug with Manfredi coat of arms (around 1480)
  1. ^ Wolfgang Kuhoff: Manfredi. In: Volker Reinhardt (ed.): The great families of Italy (= Kröner's pocket edition. Volume 485). Kröner, Stuttgart 1992, ISBN 3-520-48501-X , p. 331.
  2. ↑ a b c d Page no longer available , search in web archives: sardimpex.com@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.sardimpex.com
  3. ↑ Wolfgang Kuhoff: op. Cit. P. 332
  4. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi," di Augusto Vasina, Faenza, Faenza Editrice presentazione, 1990. 18 S.
  5. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi," di Augusto Vasina, Faenza, Faenza Editrice presentazione, 1990. 18 S.
  6. ↑ Wolfgang Kuhoff: op. Cit. P. 334
  7. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi," di Augusto Vasina, Faenza, Faenza presentazione editrice, 1990. P. 22
  8. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi," di Augusto Vasina, Faenza, Faenza presentazione editrice, 1990. P. 22
  9. ↑ http://www.sardimpex.com
  10. ↑ Wolfgang Kuhoff: op. Cit. P. 336
  11. ↑ Wolfgang Kuhoff: op. Cit. P. 336
  12. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi," di Augusto Vasina, Faenza, Faenza Editrice presentazione, 1990. 98 S.
  13. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi", op. Cit. P. 100
  14. ↑ Fraco Sacchetti: "Trecentonovelle" Amendment No. CCII (202).
  15. ↑ Wolfgang Kuhoff: op. Cit. P. 335
  16. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi", op. Cit. P. 123
  17. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi", op. Cit. P. 114
  18. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi", op. Cit. P. 127
  19. ↑ Wolfgang Kuhoff: op. Cit. P. 335
  20. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi", op. Cit. P. 44 f.
  21. ↑ Wolfgang Kuhoff: op. Cit. P. 336
  22. ↑ Wolfgang Kuhoff: op. Cit. P. 335
  23. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi", op. Cit. P. 149f
  24. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi", op. Cit. P. 65
  25. ↑ "Faenza nell'età dei Manfredi", op. Cit. P. 205f