MALATESTA, a noble Italian family, leaders of the Guelphs in Romagna and rulers in Rimini in 1216-1528. Giovanni and Mala testa of the Malatesta tribe entered Rimini in 1216 and were granted citizenship in con sideration of their aid against Cesena. The family rapidly gained in power and in 1237 Giovanni was named podesta. He was suc ceeded upon his death in 1247 by his son, Malatesta de Verrucchio, who became supreme ruler in 1295 and who steadily increased his power until his death in 1312 at the age of 100 years. He also increased the power of the Guelphs and enjoyed the favor of Pope Boniface VIII. Of his four sons, two were Giovanni and Paolo, husband and lover of Francesca da Rimini, whose story is told in Dante's 'Inferno.' Malatestino, the eldest son of Malatesta, succeeded him upon his death in 1312, maintained the power of the Guelphs, annexed Cesena and dying without issue in 1317 was succeeded by his youngest and only surviving brother, Pandolfo. The power of the Malatestas was extended over neighboring terri tories in succeeding years and the family be came one of the most influential of the Renais sance. Carlo (b. 1394; d. 1429) was an ardent supporter of the popes, represented Gregory XII at the Council of Constance and was named vicar of the church in Romagna. His nephew, Sigismondo (b. 1417; d. 1468), was
a valiant soldier, a patron of arts and letters as well as a poet and renowned antiquarian. He built the church of Saint Francis, or temple of Malatesta, one of the most beautiful struc tures of the Renaissance. He made war for and against Pope Eugenius IV ; against Venice and Florence with the Aragonese, then against the Aragonese at Piombino. He afterward fought with and against the Sienese, supported the cause of the Angevins and was excom municated and burned in effigy by Pope Pius II. He was afterward restored to the Church but before his death he was practically stripped of his powers and possessions. He was suc ceeded by his wife, Isotta, and his son, Salustio, but both were murdered by an illegitimate son, Roberto. Roberto's son, Pandolfo IV, was the last Malatesta to rule Rimini, and he sold his rights to the Venetians in 1503. Thereafter the Malatestas at various times endeavored to regain control of Rimini until 1528 when it was incorporated in the papal states. The Malatestas became citizens of Venice and the Rimini branch became extinct in 1716. Con sult Battaglini,