Pope Alexander IV reigned from 1254 until 1261. His pontificate occurred during a period of political turbulence in Italy and Europe, particularly concerning conflicts between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire. Born as Rinaldo di Jenne (or Rinaldo Conti) around 1185, he was a member of the powerful Conti family, which Pope Innocent III had also belonged to. He was elected pope on December 12, 1254, following the death of Pope Innocent IV. He attempted to support Edmund Crouchback, son of King Henry III of England, as the new ruler of Sicily, but this failed due to lack of military and financial support. He agreed to absolve King Henry III of England from the Provisions of Oxford and allow the English king to regain the power that the Barons had taken from him. Alexander died May 25, 1261, in Viterbo, Italy. His papacy was largely unsuccessful in achieving its major goals, especially regarding Sicily and the Holy Roman Empire.

 Alexander (IV, Pope 1254-1261) (b.1199? - d.1261)