Giovanni III Malatesta

Giovanni Malatesta, later numbered Giovanni III (c. 1300–1375), was a Romagnol condottiero of the Riminese Malatesta and a cousin of the lords of Rimini and Pesaro. Knighted in 1324, he campaigned with Ferrantino Malatesta against Urbino, but the host was routed and he escaped. In 1326 he was suspected of backing his uncle Ramberto's attempted seizure of Rimini and, though cleared, kept away from the city.

He later supported Malatesta II Guastafamiglia against their cousins. In 1344 Filippo Gonzaga captured him. In 1348 he served Queen Joanna of Naples against Louis of Hungary and was taken at Aversa, and later held Ascoli against Cardinal Albornoz.

Reconciled with the Church, he fought for the papacy from 1356, and the peace of 1363 lifted his excommunication. He died in 1375, leaving ten children by his wife Violante della Faggiola.