About this time Charles of Anjou, brother of Louis IX of France, married Beatrice, the youngest daughter of Raymond Berenger, count of Provence. He succeeded in his suit against a number of other claimants for her sought after hand, since she brought with her powerful and rich lands. She was 15 and he about 20 when they married in 1246. They jointly turned their attention to Italy, where Charles received a papal offer of the crown of Sicily. Nicholas wanted to rule Italy himself.
Popes propose but others contest.
In Italy Charles ran into problems. He manipulated the execution of Conradin, successor to Barbarossa and Frederick II and heir of King Manfred. Conradin was seen as a proponent of Italian nationalism. His death angered the Italians, who held no love for the French. The French imposed strict controls over Italian territories, rankling the local populace.