Francesco II Ordelaffi
Encyclopedia
Francesco II Ordelaffi also known as Cecco II, was a lord of Forlì
, the son of Sinibaldo Ordelaffi (died 1337, brother of Scarpetta
and Francesco
) and Orestina Calboli, and the grandson of Teobaldo I Ordelaffi.
Initially he ruled the city with his uncle Francesco, but in 1332 the two were ousted by a Papal Army, remaining in control of Forlimpopoli
only. The following year, however, he became the Ghibelline leader in Romagna
, receiving the seigniories of Cesena
and Bertinoro
and establishing a firm rule on Forlì.
In 1337 Francesco imprisoned the Archbishop of Ravenna and was excommunicated by the Pope Benedict XIII
: however, the struggle ended with the Ordelaffi victorious, since the Pope named him vicar of Forlì, Cesena and Folimpopoli, in exchange of an annual payment. The excommunication was later renewed when he sided for Emperor Louis IV of Bavaria in order to avoid the tribute, being named imperial vicar. Around 1347 he hosted Giovanni Boccaccio
in Forlì.
In 1350 Francesco conquered Bertinoro, Meldola
, Fontanafredda
and Ghiaggiolo, but had to face the opposition of the strong Papal general Gil de Albornoz, supported by the Malatesta
of Rimini
, as well as another excommunication. Despite the strong resistance of his wife Cia degli Ubaldini and his son Ludovico, Cesena fell on June 21, soon followed by Bertinoro. Francesco and Forlì fell on July 4, 1359, and he was to content of the title of vicar of Forlimpopoli and Castrocaro thenceforth. Later he fought for Bernabò Visconti
against the Papal armies, and tried unsuccessfully to reconquer Forlì. He died in Venice
in 1374.
His son Sinibaldo
was later lord of Forlì.
Forlì
Forlì is a comune and city in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, and is the capital of the province of Forlì-Cesena. The city is situated along the Via Emilia, to the right of the Montone river, and is an important agricultural centre...
, the son of Sinibaldo Ordelaffi (died 1337, brother of Scarpetta
Scarpetta Ordelaffi
Scarpetta Ordelaffi was an Italian condottiero and lord of Forlì from 1295 until 1315.According to chronicler Dino Compagni, in 1302 he was papal vicar in Forlì. In 1295 he took part in the Ghibelline leaders meeting at Argenta...
and Francesco
Francesco I Ordelaffi
Francesco I Ordelaffi was lord of Forlì and Bertinoro from 1315 to 1331. He was the brother and successor of Scarpetta Ordelaffi....
) and Orestina Calboli, and the grandson of Teobaldo I Ordelaffi.
Initially he ruled the city with his uncle Francesco, but in 1332 the two were ousted by a Papal Army, remaining in control of Forlimpopoli
Forlimpopoli
Forlimpopoli is a town and comune in the Province of Forlì-Cesena, northern Italy. It is located on the Via Emilia between Cesena and Forlì.-History:...
only. The following year, however, he became the Ghibelline leader in Romagna
Romagna
Romagna is an Italian historical region that approximately corresponds to the south-eastern portion of present-day Emilia-Romagna. Traditionally, it is limited by the Apennines to the south-west, the Adriatic to the east, and the rivers Reno and Sillaro to the north and west...
, receiving the seigniories of Cesena
Cesena
Cesena is a city and comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, south of Ravenna and west of Rimini, on the Savio River, co-chief of the Province of Forlì-Cesena. It is at the foot of the Apennines, and about 15 km from the Adriatic Sea.-History:Cesena was originally an Umbrian...
and Bertinoro
Bertinoro
Bertinoro is a town and comune in the province of Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna . It is located on hill, Mount Cesubeo, in Romagna, a few kilometers from the Via Emilia.-History:...
and establishing a firm rule on Forlì.
In 1337 Francesco imprisoned the Archbishop of Ravenna and was excommunicated by the Pope Benedict XIII
Pope Benedict XIII
-Footnotes:...
: however, the struggle ended with the Ordelaffi victorious, since the Pope named him vicar of Forlì, Cesena and Folimpopoli, in exchange of an annual payment. The excommunication was later renewed when he sided for Emperor Louis IV of Bavaria in order to avoid the tribute, being named imperial vicar. Around 1347 he hosted Giovanni Boccaccio
Giovanni Boccaccio
Giovanni Boccaccio was an Italian author and poet, a friend, student, and correspondent of Petrarch, an important Renaissance humanist and the author of a number of notable works including the Decameron, On Famous Women, and his poetry in the Italian vernacular...
in Forlì.
In 1350 Francesco conquered Bertinoro, Meldola
Meldola
-History:The area of Meldola was inhabited since very ancient times. The Romans built here a large aqueduct which served the military port of Classis. To the 5th-6th century belongs a large patrician villa which is now under the historical centre.In the Middle Ages a castle was present, the name...
, Fontanafredda
Fontanafredda
Fontanafredda is an Italian comune of about 11,000 inhabitants in Province of Pordenone, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. The town hall is located in the frazione of Vigonovo....
and Ghiaggiolo, but had to face the opposition of the strong Papal general Gil de Albornoz, supported by the Malatesta
Malatesta
Malatesta may refer to:*The House of Malatesta, an Italian family which ruled over Rimini from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century*Errico Malatesta , an Italian anarchist*Malatesta , a 1970 German film...
of Rimini
Rimini
Rimini is a medium-sized city of 142,579 inhabitants in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and capital city of the Province of Rimini. It is located on the Adriatic Sea, on the coast between the rivers Marecchia and Ausa...
, as well as another excommunication. Despite the strong resistance of his wife Cia degli Ubaldini and his son Ludovico, Cesena fell on June 21, soon followed by Bertinoro. Francesco and Forlì fell on July 4, 1359, and he was to content of the title of vicar of Forlimpopoli and Castrocaro thenceforth. Later he fought for Bernabò Visconti
Bernabo Visconti
Bernabò Visconti was an Italian soldier and statesman, who was Lord of Milan.-Life:He was born in Milan, the son of Stefano Visconti and Valentina Doria. From 1346 to 1349 he lived in exile, until he was called back by his uncle Giovanni Visconti...
against the Papal armies, and tried unsuccessfully to reconquer Forlì. He died in Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
in 1374.
His son Sinibaldo
Sinibaldo II Ordelaffi
Sinibaldo II Ordelaffi was the lord of Forlì in 1480, inheriting it from his father Pino III Ordelaffi. After his death the Ordelaffi lost the control of the city, who was acquired by Pope Sixtus IV's nephew Girolamo Riario. Sinibaldo's relative Francesco V Ordelaffi shortly claimed the lordship,...
was later lord of Forlì.