Fra Diavolo

Fra Diavolo (1769 (?)-1806), an Italian brigand, whose real name was Michele Pezza, Born at Itri, near Gaeta, he was successively stocking weaver, soldier, and monk. When disfrocked for misconduct he retired to the mountains of Calabria, where he gained the name of "Friar Devil" for his cold-blooded robberies and murders. In 1798 he rescued Gaeta from the French, and in the following year assisted Cardinal Ruffo against them. For his services he not only received his pardon, but was also pensioned and given the rank of colonel in the Neapolitan army. Driven out of Gaeta and Calabria by the troops of Joseph Bonaparte in 1806, he concerted a rising with the English and the ex-queen. After visiting Capri and other Islands he again landed in Calabria, but was betrayed to the French and executed at Naples.