pulia, in
great luxury and in great delights, following a worldly and epicurean
life, and for his pleasure keeping many concubines, living
lasciviously, and it seemed that he cared neither for God nor for the
saints. But God, the just Lord, which, through grace, delays His
judgments upon sinners to the intent they may bethink them, but in the
end does not pardon those who do not turn to Him, presently sent forth
His curse and ruin upon Manfred, when he believed himself to be in the
height of his state and lordship, as hereafter we shall make mention.

Sec. 88.--_How the Church of Rome elected Charles of France to be king
of Sicily and of Apulia._

[Sidenote: 1263 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Purg. vii. 113, 124-129; xx. 67-69.]

The said Pope Urban and the Church being thus brought down by the
power of Manfred, and the two Emperors-elect (to wit, the Spaniard and
the Englishman) not being in concord nor having power to come into
Italy, and Conradino, son of King Conrad, to whom pertained by
inheritance the kingdom of Sicily and of Apulia, being so young a boy
that he could not as yet come against Manfred, the said Pope, by
reason of the importunity of many faithful followers of the Church,
the which by Manfred's violence had been driven from their lands, and
especially by reason of the Guelf exiles from Florence and from
Tuscany who were continually pursuing the court, complaining of their
woes at the feet of the Pope, the said Pope Urban called a great
council of his cardinals and of many prelates, and made this proposal:
seeing the Church was subjugated by Manfred, and since those of his
house and lineage had always been enemies and persecutors of Holy
Church, not being grateful for many benefits received, if it seemed
well to them, he had thought to release Holy Church from bondage and
restore her to her state and liberty, and this might be done by
summoning Charles, count of Anjou and of Provence, son of the king of
France, and brother of the good King Louis, the which was the most
capable prince in prowess of arms and in every virtue that there was
in his time, and of so powerful a house as that of France, and who
might be the champion of Holy Church and king of Sicily and of Apulia,
regaining it by force from King Manfred, which was holding it unjustly
by force, and was excommunicated and condemned, and was against the
will of Holy Church, and as it were a rebel against her; and he
trusted so much in the prowess of th