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It appears that Frederick and Bianca Lancia d’Agliano had met in 1225, prior to his marriage to Jolande of Brienne. Unable to marry the young Piedmontese noblewoman, the Emperor maintained a clandestine relationship with her for many years. Out of their love were born Constance, Manfred and Violante, legitimized only after their nuptials.
Legend has it that Frederick, who was extremely jealous of his beautiful mistress, kept her locked in the castle of Gioia del Colle and that Bianca, mortified and shamed, cut off her breasts and gave them to the Emperor on a tray, and then died. To this day, it is said that heartbreaking wails of women can be heard during nighttime in the Empress' Tower (as the castle tower is called). Unfortunately, records of the time do not shed light on the timing of their wedding. It was likely celebrated when Bianca, on the verge of death, begged the sovereign to save her soul and legitimize their son Manfred.
