House of Ordelaffi
| House of Ordelaffi Casa Ordelaffi House of Faliero |
|
|---|---|
| Noble family | |
 |
|
| Country |
 Papal States Venice
|
| Estates |
Rocca di Ravaldino () (seat) Rocca Malatestiana (2nd seat) |
| Titles |
|
| Style(s) | "Serenity" (Doge) "Grace" |
| Founded | 1084 |
| Founder | Vitale Faliero |
| Final ruler | Antonio Maria Ordelaffi |
| Dissolution | 1504 |
| Ethnicity | Italian |
The House of Ordelaffi was a noble family that ruled the lower Romagna from the 13th century to 1504, with some interregnums.
The Ordelaffi origins are unclear, but themselves claimed a lineage with "Lor de Laffia", a Germanic soldier under service to Berengar I of Italy in 889. He was appointed as governor of Forlì, that starting to rule itself as free commune. In 910, Lor de Laffia attempt to conquer the city, but was exiled to Ravenna. His heirs were surnamed as "Lordelaffi", "Ordelaf" and finally "Ordelaffi".
In 13th century, the Teobaldo Ordelaffi conquered Forlì, make it in a Ghibelline stronghold. Teobaldo was near to the Emperor Frederick II, besiege with him Ravenna and Faenza. For compense, Frederick II appointed officially Teobaldo as Signore of Forlì.
The son of Teobaldo, Scarpetta Ordelaffi, starting a war against the Republic of Florence in 1302, with the support of the "White" Guelphs, led by Dante Alighieri. In 1303, Scarpetta fought with the podestà Fulcieri da Calboli for the control of Forlì. Finally, the Calboli lost and the Ordelaffi expelled them from the city. Laterly, Scarpetta conquered Bertinoro. The brother of Scarpetta, Francesco I Ordelaffi, succeeded him to rule Forlì, make alliance with the House of Montefeltro against the House of Malatesta, Guelph family that ruled Cesena and Rimini.
Francesco II Ordelaffi, nephew of Francesco I, lost the power when Cardinald Albornoz was appointed tho re-establish the papal's order in Romagna, in 1356. Surround by enemies, Francesco II lost first Faenza, then Cesena and Bertinoro in 1357. Francesco II tried to employ the Great Company's mercenaries, bu Albornoz recruit them first. Defeated, Francesco II was expelled from Forlì and gain only Castrocaro and Forlimpopoli.
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Wikipedia