 A unique feature of all the Swabian kings of Sicily, perhaps inherited from their Siculo-Norman forefathers, was their preference in retaining a regiment of Saracen soldiers as their personal and most trusted regiments.Such a practice, amongst others, ensured an ongoing antagonism between the papacy and the Hohenstaufens.The Hohenstaufen rule ended with the death of Manfredi at the battle of Benevento (1266).