Bianca Lancia

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Bianca Lancia d'Agliano (also called Beatrice; c. 1200 - c. 1233) was an Italian noblewoman, who was mistress and (according to some historians) wife of emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen. She was the mother of Manfred of Sicily.

The castle of Brolo, near Messina, where Bianca Lancia lived after her meeting with Frederick II.

Bianca was a member of the Lancia (or Lanza) family of Piedmont, so-called since her ancestor Manfred had been lancifer of emperor Frederick Barbarossa.

She met with Frederick II, who was then married to Yolande of Jerusalem, in 1225 at Agliano, near Asti. Thenceforth the two maintained a relationship. Frederick reportedly married Bianca only in her last days of life, probably to legitimate their descendants, which included Constance II of Hohenstaufen (also known as Anna of Sicily; 1230-1307), Manfred of Sicily (born in 1232) and, according to some sources, one Violante (1233-1364).

According to many historians, Bianca Lancia was the only true love of Frederick II's life, while others points out that it was instead a romantic exaggeration, their marriage described as one of political-economical interest.

Preceded by Yolande of Jerusalem	Queen consort of Sicily? c.1233	Succeeded by Isabella of England
	Empress of the Holy Roman Empire? c.1233