[1] The actual date of the beginning of the Electoral Meeting (there were, as yet, no Conclaves) is unknown.

[2] Alexander IV had unwisely continued to pursue the policy of hostility against the Hohenstaufen dynasty which had been begun by Pope Gregory IX.

In 1261 the claimant was Conradin, King of Sicily since 1254, but he had been supplanted by his uncle and guardian, Manfred.

This was not to the liking of Pope Alexander, who claimed the overlordship of south Italy and Sicily and the guardianship over young Conradin.

[3] Two cardinals besides Alexander himself had died since the last election in 1254 (Gil Torres and Guilelmo Fieschi); otherwise the electors were the same.