Person

Name: Catalano

Birth Date: c.1210

Death Date: 1285

Description: Member of the Knights of the Blessed Virgin Mary, popularly known as Jovial Friars, Catalano and Loderingo were invited to Florence to assume the joint role of podesta (political chief) after the Battle of Benevento (1266). Instead of helping to maintain peace between the two factions, they favored the Guelf and helped banish the Ghibellines, whose homes in the area of Gardingo, a watchtower, were subsequently sacked.