Astorre III Manfredi (20 June 1485-9 July 1502) was the lord of Faenza from 1488 to 1501, succeeding Galeotto Manfredi and preceding Cesare Borgia.
Biography[]
Astorre Manfredi was born on 20 June 1485, the son of Galeotto Manfredi. At the age of three, Astorre succeeded his father as lord of Faenza when he was assassinated by the Bentivoglio of Bologna, and he married Bianca Riario to form an alliance with the House of Sforza of Milan. With the protection of the Republic of Venice, Faenza was at peace until 1500, when Cesare Borgia and the Papal States laid siege to the city. He surrendered in 1501, and he became one of Cesare Borgia's vassals. The young Astorre was loved by his people for his kindness and for his purity of heart, and Cesare Borgia admired Astorre, who became one of his most trusted commanders. However, in 1502, Cesare Borgia came to realize that the people of Faenza would always compare him with Astorre, and that, if he left Faenza, the people would demand that Astorre should take power. Cesare confronted Astorre about this problem, and, when asked if he would accept the people's demand, Astorre truthfully said that he would. He then told Cesare that he would have to be executed so that Borgia and the city of Faenza would live (Borgia would have to destroy the city if they rebelled against his rule). Cesare told Astorre to pierce his own heart by his own blade, and he tearfully hugged Astorre, to whom he wished to do no harm. Astorre stabbed himself, and Cesare Borgia became the new ruler of Faenza.