Battle of Tagliacozzo The Battle of Tagliacozzo was fought on 23 August 1268 between the Ghibellines supporters of Conradin of Hohenstaufen and the army of Charles of Anjou . The battle represent the last act of Hohenstaufen power in Italy . The end of Conradin mark indeed also the fall of the family from the Imperial and Sicilian thrones , leading to the new chapter of Angevin domination in Southern Italy . Antecedents . The German emperors of the Hohenstaufen line , who had inherited the kingdom of Sicily from its Norman rulers in 1197 , had continually attempted to consolidate their more long - standing claims to northern Italy as well — an ambition which was vehemently opposed by many northern Italian states and by the papacy . The resulting struggle between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire split the loyalties of many Italians and led to factionalism , the resulting factions being termed the Guelphs and Ghibellines . The death of the German emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen in the midst of this struggle found his legitimate heir as King of Sicily , Conradin , in southern Germany , and Sicily under the rule of Conradin ' s uncle , Manfred of Sicily , the illegitimate son of Frederick II . Manfred ' s rule in Sicily was at first de facto — at times along with his legitimate half - brother , Conrad IV , at other times as regent for Conradin — but in 1257 Manfred simply declared himself king , despite Conradin ' s claim to the kingdom , purportedly because of rumors of Conradin ' s death . Pope Clement IV , determined to check Manfred ' s growing power , excommunicated him and continued discussions with Charles of Anjou as a secular prince who might , by force of arms , replace the dangerous Hohenstaufens . ( These discussions with Charles of Anjou had been initiated by Clement ' s predecessor , Pope Urban IV , another French pope . ) Bolstered by papal resources , which included a crusading tithe granted to combat the " infidel " Hohenstaufen , Charles entered Italy and defeated Manfred at the Battle of Benevento , and began to establish himself as King of Sicily . After Benevento , Pope Clement IV continued the papal policy of employing Charles to resist the power of the Ghibellines , although with this support was a fear that the Angevins themselves may , like the Hohenstaufen before them , attempt to dominate Northern as well as Southern Italy and thus menace the temporal power of the Holy See , despite explicit promises by Charles that he would not lay claim to Northern Italy . However , the papacy still considered its ancient enemy , the Hohenstaufen line , to be the deadlier foe by far , and when Conradin , now aged 16 , challenged Charles ' rule of Sicily , and the Tuscan Ghibellines rallied behind Conradin , Clement immediately sought Charles ' support in defeating them in Tuscany , ultimately appointing Charles as papal vicar . The battle . After considerable maneuver , Conradin ' s invading army confronted that of Charles of Anjou outside the town of Tagliacozzo . Each army deployed in three divisions . The first Hohenstaufen division was composed of Spanish and Italian knights , led by the Infante Henry of Castile ; the second division was largely Italian but included a body of German knights , and was led by Galvano Lancia ; the final division contained most of the German knights , and was led by Conradin himself , accompanied by his close friend , the youthful Frederick I , Markgraf von Baden . Charles ' s first division was composed of Italians , with some Provençal knights , under an unknown commander ; the second division contained French knights under Henry of Cousances , and the final division , which Charles led along with the veteran crusader , Erard of Valery ( who was referred to by the Italians as " Allardo di Valleri " ) , was composed of French veteran knights — this final division was hidden by Charles at Valery ' s advice , in order to constitute a tactical surprise against the Hohenstaufen forces . Conradin ' s forces won the initial phase of the battle , and broke up to pursue Charles ' s first two divisions , which were in flight , and pillage the Angevin camp . At this point Charles sprung his trap , his hidden reserve forces entering the fight and massacring Conradin ' s scattered forces . Conradin was forced to flee back to Rome , but was later captured , imprisoned , and executed . Thus ended the rule of the Hohenstaufen s .