Conradin, son of the late Holy Roman…

Conradin, son of the late Holy Roman Emperor Conrad IV, had assumed the title of King of Jerusalem and Sicily and had taken possession of the Duchy of Swabia in 1262, remaining for some time in his duchy.

Conradin's first invitation to Italy had come from the Guelphs of Florence: they had asked him to take arms against his father's half-brother Manfred, who had been crowned king of Sicily in 1258 on a false rumor of Conradin's death.

Conradin’s uncle and guardian, Louis II, Duke of Upper Bavaria, had refused this invitation on his nephew's behalf.

After Charles I of Anjou had defeated and killed Manfred at Benevento, taking possession of southern Italy, envoys from the Ghibelline cities had then gone to Bavaria and urged Conradin to come and free Italy.

Count Guido de Montefeltro, representing Henry of Castile, Senator of Rome, has offered him the support of the eternal city.

Pledging his lands, Conradin crosses the Alps and issues a manifesto at Verona setting forth his claim on Sicily.