Malatesta III Malatesta

Malatesta III Malatesta (c. 1299–1364), called Guastafamiglia, ‘the Ruiner of the Family’, was known for the massacres of his campaigns. Eldest son of Pandolfo I, lord of Rimini, Pesaro and Fano, he lost the succession in 1326 to his father's nephew Ferrantino and received only Pesaro.

Captured by the Este at Ferrara in 1333, he was freed with his brother Galeotto to fight the papal troops; the two first restored Ferrantino, then imprisoned him at Gradara and took Rimini. Ferrantino was freed in 1336 and long war followed. In 1342 a peace with the pope confirmed Malatesta in Rimini.

When the pope fled to Avignon he turned Ghibelline as imperial vicar, but Cardinal Albornoz's army took his cities. He submitted, kept most of his lands as papal vicar, and in 1363 retired, leaving Rimini to Galeotto.