Guido I da Montefeltro facts for kids

Guido da Montefeltro (born in 1223, died in 1298) was a famous Italian military leader. He was also a powerful lord of the city of Urbino. Later in his life, he decided to become a friar, which is like a monk. However, the famous writer Dante Alighieri wrote about him in his book Divine Comedy. Dante said Guido was in Hell because he gave bad or dishonest advice.

Who Was Guido da Montefeltro?

Guido was born in a town called San Leo. His father was Montefeltrano II da Montefeltro.

A Strong Military Leader

Guido was a very skilled military strategist. He led a group called the Ghibellines in a region called Romagna. In 1275, his Ghibelline forces won a big battle against their rivals, the Guelphs, at Ponte San Procolo.

Later that same year, he defeated the powerful Malatesta family from Rimini in a battle at Raversano. This victory helped him take control of Cesena. By the next year, Guido was in charge of the city of Forlì. This meant he had a lot of power against the Pope in the Romagna region.

The Siege of Forlì

From 1282 to 1283, Guido led the defense of Forlì. His forces fought against French armies who were loyal to Pope Martin IV. Even though Guido's soldiers fought bravely and caused a lot of damage to their enemies, Forlì eventually fell. This meant most of Romagna came under the Pope's control. In 1286, Guido decided to accept the authority of Pope Honorius IV.

Return to Public Life

However, Guido came back into public life in 1288. He was temporarily removed from the Church (called excommunication). He then became the leader of the Ghibellines in Pisa. For the next few years, he helped Pisa in its fight against Florence. He also helped his home city of Urbino against Cesena.

In 1296, Pope Boniface VIII allowed Guido to return to the Church. He also gave him back control of Montefeltro. In the same year, Guido joined the Franciscan order, becoming a friar. He passed away two years later in Ancona.

Guido's Story in Dante's Inferno

In 1298, Pope Boniface VIII asked Guido for advice. The Pope was having trouble with the Colonna family. They were hiding in a fortress in Palestrina and questioned if Boniface was truly the Pope. Guido told Boniface to promise the Colonnas safety if they came out, but then break that promise once they left their fortress.

Why Dante Placed Guido in Hell

This dishonest advice is why Dante Alighieri wrote about Guido in Hell in his famous poem, Inferno. In Canto XXVII of the Inferno, Guido tells his own story. He explains that he only gave the bad advice to Pope Boniface after the Pope promised to forgive him for the sin of being dishonest.

Guido says that after he died, Saint Francis came to take his soul to Heaven. But then, a black angel (called a Cherub) appeared. This angel argued that Hell had a stronger claim to Guido's soul because of his dishonest advice.