Enzo of Sardinia

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Enzo of Sardinia (Enzo/Enzio) lived around 1218–1272. He was an illegitimate son of Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, who made him King of Sardinia in 1238. By marrying Adelasia of Torres, Enzo also became ruler (jure uxoris) of Logudoro (Torres) and Gallura, the northern kingdoms of Sardinia. He traveled to the island to marry in 1238 and never returned to mainland Italy.

Enzo played a major role in his father’s wars against the Pope Gregory IX and the Lombard League. In 1241 he helped against the papal fleet at Giglio and commanded forces at the Battle of Meloria against Genoa, where he won a victory and captured valuable prizes. He also reconquered Jesi in the Marche and fought in other campaigns around Lombardy and Emilia.

Around 1245–46 his marriage to Adelasia was annulled. He continued fighting the Guelphs, attacking Parma and nearby towns, and in 1249 took part in the siege of Bologna. He was defeated and captured at the Battle of Fossalta on 26 May 1249 and spent the rest of his life as a prisoner in Bologna. The palace where he was kept later became known as Palazzo Re Enzo.

Enzo died on 14 March 1272 and was buried in Bologna’s Basilica of San Domenico. He had no legitimate children, but four illegitimate children—Elena, Maddalena, Costanza, and Enrico—are recorded. He was nicknamed Falconello for his love of falconry and his resemblance to his father, and his long imprisonment and the fall of the Hohenstaufen dynasty inspired later poets. A legend says the Bentivoglio family of Bologna traces its origins to him, though this is not proven.