He spoke of his unjust
decisions
in Lombard
affairs, his support of the rebels, and his unfair demand that
he should place himself unreservedly in the Pope's hands.
affairs, his support of the rebels, and his unfair demand that
he should place himself unreservedly in the Pope's hands.
Thomas Carlyle
p.
295, 1.
23 f.
) he had sent a legation
before this which according to him
had arrived at a settlement with the
Pope. That such a mission was sent
appears also from a letter of the
Pope's (Epis. Sae. XHI. , vol. i. 620,
1st July, p. 662, 1. 20 f. ), but he and
Frederick do not agree as to the result,
nor as to the causes of its failure-
See also Frederick's account of the
negotiations as given in the letter of
the bishops (H. -B. , v. p. 257). This
was written very shortly after the
mission, and was for communication
to the Pope, and was not an encyclical
? ? for the general public.
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? CHAP. III. ] FREDERICK H. , H0N0RIUS HI. , GREGORY IX. 281
deputed certain German bishops to get Frederick's answer
to these charges. His detailed replies are given in a report
from the bishops of 28th October 1238. The charges are im-
portant/as they agree on all important points with the grounds
on which Gregory based his excommunication of Frederick
in 1239. There is one important omission. The last charge
as given in the bishops' report to the Pope acouses Frederick
of impeding assistance to the Holy Land by his quarrel with
the Lombards, although the Church was prepared to give him
effective help in making a satisfactory settlement. In the
sentence of excommunication no reference is made to the
Lombards. 1
While negotiations were going on both parties were pre-
paring for war.
In October or November, Frederick married his illegitimate
son Enzio to Adalasia, the heiress of two of the Sardinian
"judicatures," and gave him the title of King of Sardinia,
though the Church had long claimed the lordship of the
island. 2 The Pope, on the other hand, got the Venetians and
Genoese to enter into an alliance for nine years, during which
time they undertook not to enter into any sort of agreement
with the emperor saving with the Pope's consent. 3
Just before the final rupture Frederick wrote the cardinals,
1 H. -B. . vol. v. , 28th October 1238,
p. 266. The last charge as given in
the bishop's letter runs as follows:
" Quod per eum (t. e. , the emperor)
impeditur negotium Terre Sancte
occasione discordie quam ha bet cum
quibusdam Lombardis; cum parata
sit Ecclesia dare opom et operam
emcacem ut sibi et honori imperii
super his que commissa sunt contra
eum a Lombardis congrue satisfiat,
et Lombardi ipsi ad hoc ipsum
eint preparati: " In the sentence of
excommunication the corresponding
clause runs (1. e. , p. 288, 20th March
1239) : '* Item excommunicamus et
anathematizamus eumdem pro eo
quod per ipsum impeditur negotium
Terre Sancte ot reparatio imperii
Romanic. "
* The Pope had written Adelasia
(Epis. Sae. XIII. , vol. i. 726, 30th April
1235), " volumus, ut de nostro consilio
et mandato talem in virum recipias, qui
et nobilitati tue gratus et nobis merito
sit acceptus. . . . " L. c. , 729, 31st May
1238. Adelasia had promised three years
before to pay tribute, and had acknow-
ledged the Pope's lordship, vide Cod.
dep. Sardin. i. 357 doc. 76, and 347 doc.
57, quoted by Felten, p. 264, note 6.
Sardinia was divided into four judica-
tures, each under a ruler known as the
"judex. "
There was much correspondence
in connection with the papal claims in
the time of Innocent III.
>> H. -B. , vol. v. p. 1223 f. , 3rd Novem-
ber 1239.
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? 282
[pabt n.
TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL POWERS.
who, according to him, shared equally with the Pope in all
matters which he " proponit statuere, vel denunciando decre-
verit. " He begged them to use their influence to prevent the
Pope's issuing a sentence of deposition against him, and
warned them that if he were attacked he would retaliate. 1
Frederick, according to his encyclical, also sent envoys to
Eome just before the final breach, promising to give satisfac-
tion for any wrongs done to the Church. Before the mission
could arrive, Gregory ended negotiations by excommunicating
Frederick.
The rupture appears to have been inevitable under the
circumstances. Frederick was determined to make himself
master of Italy north and south. Sicily and the south were
already his, and provided him with the funds he required, but
for really efficient armies he needed troops from Germanyr
and for this purpose it was necessary to be able to depend on
the passes of the Alps being kept open for the passage of his
troops. On several occasions the Lombard League had been
able to close them and, for the time being, effectually to
block his schemes. The destruction of the League was thus
essential from his point of view. On the other hand, since
1 H. -B. , vol. v. p. 282, 10th March
1239. Frederick, addressing the car-
dinals, writes : " Cum ait Christus
caput Ecclesie, et in Petri vocabulo
suam fundaverit Ecclesiam supra
petram, vos Apostolorum statuit suc-
cessores ut Petro pro omnibus minis-
trante, vos qui estis candelabra Ecclesie
supra montem, non sub modio consti-
tute revera omnibus qui sunt in domo
Domini ex effectu bonorum operum
luceatis, noo a publica mundi lingua
et conscientia generali vos subtrahere in-
tendatis ; cum ad singula quo presidens
Sedi Petri proponit statuere, vel denun-
cienda decreverit, equa participatio
vos admittat, nisi ipsius religionis
Ecclesie status et zelus effervescens
evitandi scandali generalis cautelam
vobis suggesserit ad futura. Quis enim
non miretur et stupeat, quod tot
venerabilium patrum congregations
munitus Ecclesie generalis sedens in
solio (utinam justus judex) inconsulte
velit prooedere, ac suis motibus excan-
descens, in Romanum intendit princi-
pem, advocatum Ecclesie, ao ad predi-
oationem Evangelii stabilitum, senten-
tiam depositionis statuere et ob favo-
rem Lombardoreum rebelliuin exereere-
spiritualem gladium, si dicere liceat,
minus juste ; " He warns the cardinals
" oportet nos defendendo gravius oBen-
dere resistentes, salva in omnibus
Ecclesie sanctitate quam cultu sacro
et debita reverentia corde et ope vene-
ramur. "
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? CHAP. III. ] FREDERICK: H. , HONORIUS HI. , GREGORY IX. 283
1059, when Eobert Guiscard and Eichard of Capua acknow-
ledged the Pope as their liege lord, the curia had possessed
in the Normans a valuable counterpoise to the domination
of the Germans in the north. There had been friction at
times, sometimes very serious friction, for the Normans were
difficult vassals, but on the whole the Norman Government
of Southern Italy and Sicily had been a valuable asset to the
Papacy. This ceased when Henry VI. became king, and
joined in his person the government of the empire and of
the kingdom. It was to prevent a recurrence of this union
that Innocent rejected Frederick as a possible emperor till
his appointment seemed less dangerous to the Church than
Otto's government. Innocent did what lay in his power to
minimise the risk by inducing Frederick to promise to give
up the kingdom of Sicily to his son, to be governed by a
guardian approved by the Pope. Frederick having succeeded
in escaping from his promise, Gregory attempted to take
advantage of Frederick's first excommunication to diminish
his power in Sicily, but did not succeed. This failure made
it all the more important for the Papacy to protect the League
from destruction in order to secure support in the defence of
its temporal dominions. At bottom this was a spiritual as
well as a temporal question, as it might well be doubted
whether a Eoman bishop, at the mercy of a German emperor,
could still remain the spiritual head of Christendom.
It was important for both parties to have public opinion
on their side, and in this respect Frederick had one advantage
over his great opponent, as he could make out for himself a
strong case of self-defence against rebellious vassals of the
empire, supported by the Pope. On the other hand, it would
have been difficult for the Pope to make out a convincing
case, that in supporting the Lombards he was really acting
in defence of his spiritual powers, and it was no doubt for
this reason that Gregory made no direct reference to them
in stating the grounds for Frederick's excommunication.
The Papacy was deeply interested in the struggle between
the Lombards and the emperor, yet it was constantly seeking
to be treated as an impartial judge, prepared to do equal
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? 284 TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL POWERS. [PABT II.
justice to both parties ; thus placing itself in a false position
of which Frederick took full advantage in his letters.
Sentence of excommunication was given on the 20th March
1239. Sixteen grounds are given, of which eleven relate to
Frederick's behaviour in his Sicilian kingdom. 1 In three of
these charges breaches are alleged of the treaty of 1230.
Other charges relate to Frederick's attempts to stir up the
Eomans against the Pope, and to his occupation of Sardinia
and of other lands belonging to the Church. There is also
a general charge that Frederick put obstacles in the way of
relieving the Holy Land and of helping the Greek empire.
It is significant, as already pointed out, that no mention is
made of the Lombards, as in the corresponding charge sent
some months before to the German bishops. 4
1 H. -B. , vol. v. p. 286 f. , 20th March
1239. Of the grounds of excommuni-
cation, sixteen in number, eleven re-
ferred to Sicily, and in three of these
a breach of the conditions of the peace
in 1230 is alleged. The other charges
are: "(1) Pro eo quod contra
Roman am Ecclesiam seditionem movit
in urbe, per quod intendit ponti-
ficem et fratres a sua sede repellere.
(2) Pro eo quod. . . . Prenestinum
episcopum, Apostolica sede legatum,
ne in sua legatione prooederet . . . in
Albigensium partibus . . . per quosdam
fideles suos impediri mandavit. (3) Pro
eo quod nepotem regis Tunici venien-
tem ad Ecclesiam Romanam pro susci-
piendo baptismatis sacramento, detinet
nec venire permisit. (4) Quod terras
Ecclesie, scilicet Ferrariam . . . et ter-
ram Sardinie ocoupavit, contra jura-
mentum quo super hoc Ecclesie tenetur
temere veniendo. (5) quod per ipsum
impeditur negotium Torre Sancte et
reparatio imperii Romanic. " There
is no express reference to Lombardy.
The Pope adds to the grounds of
excommunication : " Porro pro omni-
bus et singulis supradictis pro quibus
dictus Fredericus a nobis diligenter
fuit admonitus et frequenter nec
parere curavit, eumdem Fredericum
exoommunicationis et anathematis vin-
culo innodamus. " He also declared :
'* Ceterum quia idem Fredericus de
dictis et factis auis, multis claman-
tibus per universum quasi orbem quod
de catholica fide recte non sentiat, est
graviter diffamatus, nos dante Domino
super hoc loco suo et tempore proce-
demus, secundum quod in talibus
requirit ordo juris. " He also an-
nounced : " Super oppresaionibus vero
et aliis gravamiribus nobilium, pau-
perum, viduarum, orphanorum et
aliorum de regno, pro quibus idem
Fredericus alias juravit stare man-
datis Ecclesie, ipsum intendimus ad-
monere et in ipso negotio, dante
Domino, procedemus sicut juste fuerit
procodendum. " Frederick is called
" dictus imperator," or only Frederick,
and the Pope released all bound to
him by an oath of fidelity so long as
? ? he remained under excommunication.
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? CHAP. III. ] FREDERICK H. , HONORITJS III. , GREGORY IX. 285
Frederick asserted over and over again that his quarrel
with the Lombards was the real cause of his rupture with
the Church, and whether it was the only cause or not, it is
difficult to believe that it was not the principal cause, and
that other differences could not have been peaceably settled.
A notable feature in the proceedings that followed Frederick's
excommunication is the appeal to public opinion on both sides.
A month after his excommunication the emperor issued an
encyclical to show his innocence to princes and peoples alike.
He told at some length the story of his relations with Gregory,
and of the injustice he had suffered at his hands. He accused
him of having written the Sultan not to cede to him any of
the holy places. He also accused him of asking for his support
for Viterbo against the Eomans, while he secretly wrote to the
Eomans that his (Frederick's) action was taken without the
Pope's knowledge or desire (preter suam conscientiam et
mandatum).
He spoke of his unjust decisions in Lombard
affairs, his support of the rebels, and his unfair demand that
he should place himself unreservedly in the Pope's hands.
He mentioned the Pope's sudden change of front in the
negotiations in the autumn of 1238, and how he had excom-
municated him on hearing that he was prepared to give
immediate satisfaction. He had excommunicated him against
the advice of the wiser cardinals, and had prevented Frederick's
mission getting to Eome.
It was impossible to accept as judge one who had shown
himself a mortal enemy, and who had favoured by word and
deed rebels against the empire; he attributed Gregory's
hostility to his refusal to allow Enzio (the natural son of
Frederick) to marry his niece. He had also shown himself
unworthy of the exercise of pontifical authority by the sup-
" et sic totum fere regnum, quod est
speciale patrimonium beati Petri, pro
quo iuramento fidclitatis apostolice
sedi tenetur et ipsius ligius vassallus
existit, quantum in eo est, in favillam
quasi et cinerem iam redegit; quod si
postquam monitus fuerit a nobis, non
duxerit corrigendum, no* super hoc
actore Domino, sicut expedire videbi-
mus procedemus. "
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? 286 TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL POWERS. [PART II.
port he had given to the Milanese, mostly heretics. While
Frederick acknowledged the papal authority, to which all
Christians are subject, Gregory had shown himself unworthy
of office.
He begged the cardinals to call a General Council, to be
attended by secular as well as ecclesiastical dignitaries, in-
cluding his envoys and those of other princes; this Council
he would attend himself, and was prepared to prove all he
had said, and even more.
It was, Frederick stated, the Lombard affair that really
influenced the Pope, though he dared not make this public
because of the scandal it would cause. He had gone so far
as to offer to let him have for his own use all the tithes levied
for the Holy Land, if he would let him settle it. Gregory
had personally sworn to assist the Lombards against the
emperor. 1
1 M. G. H. , ' Const. ,' ii. 215. Ency-
clica accusatoria contra Gregorium IX. ,
20th April 1239. With regard to the
Pope's unworthiness, he writes (p. 296,
1. 36 f. ) : " Alias nobis per talem, quem
merito nostrum iudicem non habemus,
nullum posse fieri reputamus iniuriam,
utpote cum se prius inimicum capi-
talem quam iudicem nostrum et opere
fuerit professus et verbo, rebelles nos-
tros et hostes imperii publico con-
fovendo. (18) Indignum preterea se
tanti cohercione principis et generaliter
qualibet pontificalia auctoritate iudicii
reddidit, dum Mediolanensem civita-
tem, que pro maxima parte testimonio
religiosorum quamplurium fidedigno-
rum inhabitatur hereticis, contra nos
et imperium manifesto favore tuetur
. . . (19) Ilium habere preterea Christi
vicarium et successorem Petri ao dis-
pensatorem animarum fidelium in-
digne fatemur non ob dignitatis iniu-
riam, set ob persone deffectum, qui
dispensatione s cum fratrum delibera-
tione maxima concedendas in camera
sua more mercatoris cuiuslibet in libra
mercationis appendit, celatis fratrum
consiliis, cum quibus secundum eccle-
siasticam disciplinam deliberare tene-
tur, existens sibi bullator et scriptor
et forsitan etiam numerator. . . .
(21) Itaquenonmireturuniversaliseccle-
sia nec populus christianus, si nos talis
sentencias iudicis non veremur, non
in contemptu papalis officii vel appos-
tolice dignitatis, cui omnes ortodosse
fidei professores et nos specialius ceteris
subesse fatemur, set persone prevarica-
tionem arguimus, que se solio tanti
regiminis monstravit indignam. . . .
(p. 297, 1. 30 f. ), eoce quod sacrosancte
Romane ecclesie cardinales per san-
guinem Iesu Christi et sub attestatione
divini iudicii per nuncios nostros et
litteras at testamur, ut generale con-
cilium prelatorum et aliorum Christi
fidelium debeant evocare; nunciis
etiam vestris et reliquorum principum
accersitis, in quorum presencia nos ipsi
presentes cuncta que diximus sum us
hostendere et probare parati, et his
? ? etiam duriora. "
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? CHAP, m. ] FREDERICK H. , HONORIUS HI. , GREGORY IX. 287
The Pope's reply followed two months later, and when
it came, it was even more violent. Frederick is the beast
full of blasphemy of the Apocalypse, a fabricator of false-
hoods, a vessel filled with abominations, a supporter of
the wicked, one who delights to be called the forerunner
of Antichrist.
Gregory told the story of Frederick's protection by the
Church, in Sicily during his childhood and later on in Ger-
many, and of his own friendship. He repeated the old charges
in connection with the crusade, the invasion of the papal
patrimony, and his misdeeds in Sicily, which he had almost
reduced to ashes by his greed for money, and where he had
endeavoured by bribes to get his way in spiritual matters. As
regards Lombardy, the emperor had brought his troubles on
himself by using force, notwithstanding the Pope's warning,
and even when he had gone there without any military force,
he had spoiled his case by taking sides. So far had the Pope
been from putting difficulties in his way that when Frederick
entered Lombardy with armed forces, he had suspended the
interdict, during the time of Frederick's stay, from any town
subject to it. He defended again as in previous letters his
appointment of the Bishop of Palestrina as legate. He had
never offered Frederick the tithes, and denied as figments
Frederick's tales about Viterbo and other places, while as
regards Enzio and his niece, it was Frederick who desired the
marriage. He had shown his heretical tendencies by denying
the Church the power of binding and loosing, and evidence
omnium re gum et principum humiliatio
creditur, si cesaris Romani potencia,
cuius clipeus prima iacula sustinet,
conteratur. Hec est namque causa
pro vero, videlicet de Lombardis,
que cor pape pungebat et urebat
intrinsecus, licet ipsam foris educe ro
propter vestrum et audientium om-
nium scandalum non auderet. Pro
qua nobis per epecialem nuncium suum
fide dignissimum, cuius ad hec testi-
monium invocamus, oretenus exprese
promisit, quod si negocium Lombar-
dorum in eius arbitrio poneremus,
nedum quod in aliquo magnificentium
nostram o&enderet, verum etiam tocius
or bis decimas Terre Sancte necessai-
tatibus consecratas nostris utibtatibus
applicabat. (2S) Nec est mirum; in stan-
tibus etinem et accutis Lombardorum
aculeis pungebatur, quibus, prout per
aliquorum prelatorum confessionem
accepimus, contra nos et imperium
corporale prestitit sacramentum, cum
ipsos, peregrinantibus nobis in partibus
Syrie pro servicio Iesu Christi, trans-
mis it in Regnum. "
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? 288
[PABT n.
TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL POWERS.
would be forthcoming that he had declared the whole world
to be deceived by three impostors--Christ, Moses, and
Mahomet,--and that he had denied the possibility of the
virgin birth. 1
Frederick replied at once to the cardinals, protesting his
orthodoxy, and defending his refusal to allow Gregory the
power of binding and loosing, as he was no true pontiff. 2
Meanwhile Gregory made preparations to carry the war into
1 Epis. Sao. XHi. , vol. i. 760.
Gregory to the Archbishop of Rheims
and his suffragans, 12th July 1239.
He begins his letter by an attack on
Frederick, " Ascendit de mari bestia
blasphemie plena nominibus . . . os
suum in blasphemias divini nominis
aperit. . . . " With regard to the
origin of his troubles in Lombardy,
the Pope remarks (p. 648, 1. 34 f. ):
" Qui etei in Lombardiam famulis
stipatus inermibus accessisset, quia
tamen consilii fidelis oblitus in partem
Cremonensium cedens actor factus
est scismatis, scissamque in dis-
cordias Lombardiam fortius soindere
et Mediolanenses a se terroribus et
minis abigere studuit, quos cum
adversa parte ad unitetem trahere
potius debuit in funiculis caritatis,
non est quod nostra imputetur inno-
centie, si spe frustratus in Apuliam
rediit. " With regard to Frederick's
assertion that Gregory could not place
him under excommunication, the Pope
pointed out that he thus implicitly
denied the power of Peter and his
successors to bind and to loose
(p. 653, 1. 34 f. ). " Set quia minus
bene ab aliquibus credi posset, quod
se verbis non illaqueavrerit oris sui,
probationes in fidei victoriam sumt
parato, quod iste rex pestilentie a
tribus barrattatoribus, ut eius verbis
utamur, scilicet Christo Iesu, Moyse
et Machometo, totum mundum fuisse
deceptum, . . . insuper dilucida voce
afflrmare vel potius mentiri presump-
sit, quod omnes illi sunt fatui, qui
credunt nasci de virgine Deum, qui
creavit naturam et omnia, potuisse ; "
? H. B. , vol. v. p. 348 f. Frederick
answers the papal charges : " Cardi-
nales adhortatus ut summum ponti-
ficem a suis illicitis motibus oompes-
cant; alioquin timeant ne ad ultiones
cesareas ipse procedere eogatur. ''
Frederick commences his letter by
comparing the Papacy and the empire
to the sun and moon: " ut et si so
multotiens ex obliquo respiciant, unum
tamen alterum non offendit; immo
quod est superius inferiori suam oom-
municat claritatem. "
Frederick gives a confession of faith,
and declares as regards Mahomet,
" corpus in sere pendere didicimus,
obsessum demonibus, animam Inferni
? ? cruciatibus deditam. " Frederick is
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? CHAP, in. ] FREDERICK IX, HONOEIUS m. , GREGORY IX. 289
Frederick's territories, and the Venetians undertook to pro-
vide a certain number of ships for the seizure of the kingdom
of Sicily. The Pope, on the other hand, gave them certain
fiefs and privileges in the kingdom, and undertook that the
Church would provide for the fulfilment of this agreement
in case it made over the " regnum " to any one else. He also
provided that Venice should be included in case the Church
and Frederick made peace. 1
Gregory appealed to Louis IX. to help him against Frederick.
In his letter he repeated his charge of heresy in connection
with the question of the virgin birth. 2 We have not got
Louis' reply, but we know from a letter that he wrote the
emperor that he refused to give any assistance. 3 Attempts
1 Epis. Sae. XIII. , vol. i. 833, 23rd
September 1239. Agreement of Vene-
tians to supply galleys for the con-
quest of Sicily, &c. L. C. , 834, 24th
September. Grant of fiefs to the doge
and " commune" of the Venetians
in places in the Sicilian kingdom
occupied by them. " tibi et per te
communitati predicte, postquam ea
fuerint occupata, in feudum perpetuum
concedemus. " L. c. , 835, same date,
undertaking that these pacta are to
be observed by any person to whom
the kingdom may be made over by
the Papacy. L. c. , 838, same date.
A promise that should peace be made
with Frederick the Venetians would
be included.
? H. -B. , vol. v. 457, 21st October
1239. Gregory to Louis IX. "Hinc
est quod nos Christi qui pro salute
hominis descendens e celis ad prodi-
candum evagelium in universum muu-
dum transmisit apostolos, exemplo
compulsi, ad te precipuum, te car is-
simum Ecclesie filium, te speciale sub-
sidium, te refugium singulare, vene-
rabilem fratrem nostrum episcopum
1'enestrinum . . . officio sibi legationis
commisso pro defensione fidei pro qua
laborare tenetur quilibet qui Christiana
professione censetur, dirigimus et per
VOL. V.
eum in tante necessitatis articulo tui
brachii auxilium invocamus. Cum
enim pugnare pro eripienda Terra
Sancta de m&nibus paganorum sit
perpetue vite meritorium, multo ma-
jor is meriti ease credit ur si eorum qui
oxterminium fidei in qua salus totius
mundi consistit et Ecclesie machi-
nantur generalia excidium, impietas
expugnetur. Speramus autem et pro
firmo tenemus quod Jhesu Christo qui
pro redemptione tua servi formam
acoipiens proprium sanguinem erudeli
perforatus lancea fundere et in oruce
mortis voluit subire tormentum, qui
diebus istis a dicto F. eum asserento
in utero Virginis minime descendisse,
crudeliter in se et membris suis ac
multipliciter impugnatur, curabis tan-
quam atlete dominicus potenter aseis-
tere, et honorem Christi cui nulla debes
vel potes ratione deesse et Ecclesie
? ? spouse sue, bonum statum fidei et
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? 290
[PAKT H.
TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL POWERS.
were also made to stir up a crusade against Frederick, as, for
instance, in Hungary. 1
The papal party in Germany endeavoured to induce some
foreign prince to stand as a candidate for the empire, but
no one could be got to come forward. 2
Frederick, on the other hand, wrote early in 1240, in
answer to a letter from the Archbishop of Messina, that
he had tried by humility to obtain the Pope's favour, but
as this had failed he was resolved now to adopt a different
course, and to recover from the Pope the lands long held
by the empire. 3 He justified his action to Henry III. ,
and gave an account of the machinations of the Pope, who
had stirred up rebellion in the Mark of Treviso and in
Eavenna. *
In April and May 1240 a number of German princes endeav-
oured to get the Pope to agree to the opening of peace nego-
tiations, as Frederick had declared he was prepared " stare
1 L. c. , vol. v. 1095, 12th February
1241. Gregory to his subdeacon, John
de Ciudale. " Cum tibi duxerimus
injungendum ut contra Friderioum in
Ungarie regno verbum cruris propo-
neres et nonnulli in dicto regno in
Terre Sancte subsidium susceperint
signum cruris, ex quo impedimentum
non modicum tuo proposito generatur,
nos devotioni tue ut vota crucesigna-
torum ipsorum in defensionem Ecclesie
contra Friderioum eumdem, si eorum
ad id consensus accesserit, commutare
valeas. "
* Hoefler Albert v. Beham, &c. , p.
22, 5th September 1270. Letter from
Albert to the Pope. " Cseterum, Pater
Sancte ! scire cupio Sanotitatem ves-
tram, ita tamen, pie pater I ut sepul-
tum maneat in seternum, quod electio
regis in Alamannia retardatur, quia
junior rex Dacis e a proposito omnino
recessit, patre suo dissuadente et lapsu
regis Bohemise faciente, fit tamen
novus tractatus super hos circa ducem
Austrise et filium sanctse Elizabeth,
et quid possit apud illos inveniri,
adhuo ignoramus, et si secrotissimum
cordium principum Alamannise, spiri-
tualium et secularium, scire cupitis
et de omnibus ad ecclesise honorem
informari, quodsi et per vos, tantum
sine electione principum et tantum de
bona voluntate ipsorum novum cupitis
regem creare*' to bid the Bishop of
Strassburg to send him " nobilem
virum Henricum de Neiffe. "
?
before this which according to him
had arrived at a settlement with the
Pope. That such a mission was sent
appears also from a letter of the
Pope's (Epis. Sae. XHI. , vol. i. 620,
1st July, p. 662, 1. 20 f. ), but he and
Frederick do not agree as to the result,
nor as to the causes of its failure-
See also Frederick's account of the
negotiations as given in the letter of
the bishops (H. -B. , v. p. 257). This
was written very shortly after the
mission, and was for communication
to the Pope, and was not an encyclical
? ? for the general public.
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? CHAP. III. ] FREDERICK H. , H0N0RIUS HI. , GREGORY IX. 281
deputed certain German bishops to get Frederick's answer
to these charges. His detailed replies are given in a report
from the bishops of 28th October 1238. The charges are im-
portant/as they agree on all important points with the grounds
on which Gregory based his excommunication of Frederick
in 1239. There is one important omission. The last charge
as given in the bishops' report to the Pope acouses Frederick
of impeding assistance to the Holy Land by his quarrel with
the Lombards, although the Church was prepared to give him
effective help in making a satisfactory settlement. In the
sentence of excommunication no reference is made to the
Lombards. 1
While negotiations were going on both parties were pre-
paring for war.
In October or November, Frederick married his illegitimate
son Enzio to Adalasia, the heiress of two of the Sardinian
"judicatures," and gave him the title of King of Sardinia,
though the Church had long claimed the lordship of the
island. 2 The Pope, on the other hand, got the Venetians and
Genoese to enter into an alliance for nine years, during which
time they undertook not to enter into any sort of agreement
with the emperor saving with the Pope's consent. 3
Just before the final rupture Frederick wrote the cardinals,
1 H. -B. . vol. v. , 28th October 1238,
p. 266. The last charge as given in
the bishop's letter runs as follows:
" Quod per eum (t. e. , the emperor)
impeditur negotium Terre Sancte
occasione discordie quam ha bet cum
quibusdam Lombardis; cum parata
sit Ecclesia dare opom et operam
emcacem ut sibi et honori imperii
super his que commissa sunt contra
eum a Lombardis congrue satisfiat,
et Lombardi ipsi ad hoc ipsum
eint preparati: " In the sentence of
excommunication the corresponding
clause runs (1. e. , p. 288, 20th March
1239) : '* Item excommunicamus et
anathematizamus eumdem pro eo
quod per ipsum impeditur negotium
Terre Sancte ot reparatio imperii
Romanic. "
* The Pope had written Adelasia
(Epis. Sae. XIII. , vol. i. 726, 30th April
1235), " volumus, ut de nostro consilio
et mandato talem in virum recipias, qui
et nobilitati tue gratus et nobis merito
sit acceptus. . . . " L. c. , 729, 31st May
1238. Adelasia had promised three years
before to pay tribute, and had acknow-
ledged the Pope's lordship, vide Cod.
dep. Sardin. i. 357 doc. 76, and 347 doc.
57, quoted by Felten, p. 264, note 6.
Sardinia was divided into four judica-
tures, each under a ruler known as the
"judex. "
There was much correspondence
in connection with the papal claims in
the time of Innocent III.
>> H. -B. , vol. v. p. 1223 f. , 3rd Novem-
ber 1239.
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? 282
[pabt n.
TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL POWERS.
who, according to him, shared equally with the Pope in all
matters which he " proponit statuere, vel denunciando decre-
verit. " He begged them to use their influence to prevent the
Pope's issuing a sentence of deposition against him, and
warned them that if he were attacked he would retaliate. 1
Frederick, according to his encyclical, also sent envoys to
Eome just before the final breach, promising to give satisfac-
tion for any wrongs done to the Church. Before the mission
could arrive, Gregory ended negotiations by excommunicating
Frederick.
The rupture appears to have been inevitable under the
circumstances. Frederick was determined to make himself
master of Italy north and south. Sicily and the south were
already his, and provided him with the funds he required, but
for really efficient armies he needed troops from Germanyr
and for this purpose it was necessary to be able to depend on
the passes of the Alps being kept open for the passage of his
troops. On several occasions the Lombard League had been
able to close them and, for the time being, effectually to
block his schemes. The destruction of the League was thus
essential from his point of view. On the other hand, since
1 H. -B. , vol. v. p. 282, 10th March
1239. Frederick, addressing the car-
dinals, writes : " Cum ait Christus
caput Ecclesie, et in Petri vocabulo
suam fundaverit Ecclesiam supra
petram, vos Apostolorum statuit suc-
cessores ut Petro pro omnibus minis-
trante, vos qui estis candelabra Ecclesie
supra montem, non sub modio consti-
tute revera omnibus qui sunt in domo
Domini ex effectu bonorum operum
luceatis, noo a publica mundi lingua
et conscientia generali vos subtrahere in-
tendatis ; cum ad singula quo presidens
Sedi Petri proponit statuere, vel denun-
cienda decreverit, equa participatio
vos admittat, nisi ipsius religionis
Ecclesie status et zelus effervescens
evitandi scandali generalis cautelam
vobis suggesserit ad futura. Quis enim
non miretur et stupeat, quod tot
venerabilium patrum congregations
munitus Ecclesie generalis sedens in
solio (utinam justus judex) inconsulte
velit prooedere, ac suis motibus excan-
descens, in Romanum intendit princi-
pem, advocatum Ecclesie, ao ad predi-
oationem Evangelii stabilitum, senten-
tiam depositionis statuere et ob favo-
rem Lombardoreum rebelliuin exereere-
spiritualem gladium, si dicere liceat,
minus juste ; " He warns the cardinals
" oportet nos defendendo gravius oBen-
dere resistentes, salva in omnibus
Ecclesie sanctitate quam cultu sacro
et debita reverentia corde et ope vene-
ramur. "
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? CHAP. III. ] FREDERICK: H. , HONORIUS HI. , GREGORY IX. 283
1059, when Eobert Guiscard and Eichard of Capua acknow-
ledged the Pope as their liege lord, the curia had possessed
in the Normans a valuable counterpoise to the domination
of the Germans in the north. There had been friction at
times, sometimes very serious friction, for the Normans were
difficult vassals, but on the whole the Norman Government
of Southern Italy and Sicily had been a valuable asset to the
Papacy. This ceased when Henry VI. became king, and
joined in his person the government of the empire and of
the kingdom. It was to prevent a recurrence of this union
that Innocent rejected Frederick as a possible emperor till
his appointment seemed less dangerous to the Church than
Otto's government. Innocent did what lay in his power to
minimise the risk by inducing Frederick to promise to give
up the kingdom of Sicily to his son, to be governed by a
guardian approved by the Pope. Frederick having succeeded
in escaping from his promise, Gregory attempted to take
advantage of Frederick's first excommunication to diminish
his power in Sicily, but did not succeed. This failure made
it all the more important for the Papacy to protect the League
from destruction in order to secure support in the defence of
its temporal dominions. At bottom this was a spiritual as
well as a temporal question, as it might well be doubted
whether a Eoman bishop, at the mercy of a German emperor,
could still remain the spiritual head of Christendom.
It was important for both parties to have public opinion
on their side, and in this respect Frederick had one advantage
over his great opponent, as he could make out for himself a
strong case of self-defence against rebellious vassals of the
empire, supported by the Pope. On the other hand, it would
have been difficult for the Pope to make out a convincing
case, that in supporting the Lombards he was really acting
in defence of his spiritual powers, and it was no doubt for
this reason that Gregory made no direct reference to them
in stating the grounds for Frederick's excommunication.
The Papacy was deeply interested in the struggle between
the Lombards and the emperor, yet it was constantly seeking
to be treated as an impartial judge, prepared to do equal
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? 284 TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL POWERS. [PABT II.
justice to both parties ; thus placing itself in a false position
of which Frederick took full advantage in his letters.
Sentence of excommunication was given on the 20th March
1239. Sixteen grounds are given, of which eleven relate to
Frederick's behaviour in his Sicilian kingdom. 1 In three of
these charges breaches are alleged of the treaty of 1230.
Other charges relate to Frederick's attempts to stir up the
Eomans against the Pope, and to his occupation of Sardinia
and of other lands belonging to the Church. There is also
a general charge that Frederick put obstacles in the way of
relieving the Holy Land and of helping the Greek empire.
It is significant, as already pointed out, that no mention is
made of the Lombards, as in the corresponding charge sent
some months before to the German bishops. 4
1 H. -B. , vol. v. p. 286 f. , 20th March
1239. Of the grounds of excommuni-
cation, sixteen in number, eleven re-
ferred to Sicily, and in three of these
a breach of the conditions of the peace
in 1230 is alleged. The other charges
are: "(1) Pro eo quod contra
Roman am Ecclesiam seditionem movit
in urbe, per quod intendit ponti-
ficem et fratres a sua sede repellere.
(2) Pro eo quod. . . . Prenestinum
episcopum, Apostolica sede legatum,
ne in sua legatione prooederet . . . in
Albigensium partibus . . . per quosdam
fideles suos impediri mandavit. (3) Pro
eo quod nepotem regis Tunici venien-
tem ad Ecclesiam Romanam pro susci-
piendo baptismatis sacramento, detinet
nec venire permisit. (4) Quod terras
Ecclesie, scilicet Ferrariam . . . et ter-
ram Sardinie ocoupavit, contra jura-
mentum quo super hoc Ecclesie tenetur
temere veniendo. (5) quod per ipsum
impeditur negotium Torre Sancte et
reparatio imperii Romanic. " There
is no express reference to Lombardy.
The Pope adds to the grounds of
excommunication : " Porro pro omni-
bus et singulis supradictis pro quibus
dictus Fredericus a nobis diligenter
fuit admonitus et frequenter nec
parere curavit, eumdem Fredericum
exoommunicationis et anathematis vin-
culo innodamus. " He also declared :
'* Ceterum quia idem Fredericus de
dictis et factis auis, multis claman-
tibus per universum quasi orbem quod
de catholica fide recte non sentiat, est
graviter diffamatus, nos dante Domino
super hoc loco suo et tempore proce-
demus, secundum quod in talibus
requirit ordo juris. " He also an-
nounced : " Super oppresaionibus vero
et aliis gravamiribus nobilium, pau-
perum, viduarum, orphanorum et
aliorum de regno, pro quibus idem
Fredericus alias juravit stare man-
datis Ecclesie, ipsum intendimus ad-
monere et in ipso negotio, dante
Domino, procedemus sicut juste fuerit
procodendum. " Frederick is called
" dictus imperator," or only Frederick,
and the Pope released all bound to
him by an oath of fidelity so long as
? ? he remained under excommunication.
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? CHAP. III. ] FREDERICK H. , HONORITJS III. , GREGORY IX. 285
Frederick asserted over and over again that his quarrel
with the Lombards was the real cause of his rupture with
the Church, and whether it was the only cause or not, it is
difficult to believe that it was not the principal cause, and
that other differences could not have been peaceably settled.
A notable feature in the proceedings that followed Frederick's
excommunication is the appeal to public opinion on both sides.
A month after his excommunication the emperor issued an
encyclical to show his innocence to princes and peoples alike.
He told at some length the story of his relations with Gregory,
and of the injustice he had suffered at his hands. He accused
him of having written the Sultan not to cede to him any of
the holy places. He also accused him of asking for his support
for Viterbo against the Eomans, while he secretly wrote to the
Eomans that his (Frederick's) action was taken without the
Pope's knowledge or desire (preter suam conscientiam et
mandatum).
He spoke of his unjust decisions in Lombard
affairs, his support of the rebels, and his unfair demand that
he should place himself unreservedly in the Pope's hands.
He mentioned the Pope's sudden change of front in the
negotiations in the autumn of 1238, and how he had excom-
municated him on hearing that he was prepared to give
immediate satisfaction. He had excommunicated him against
the advice of the wiser cardinals, and had prevented Frederick's
mission getting to Eome.
It was impossible to accept as judge one who had shown
himself a mortal enemy, and who had favoured by word and
deed rebels against the empire; he attributed Gregory's
hostility to his refusal to allow Enzio (the natural son of
Frederick) to marry his niece. He had also shown himself
unworthy of the exercise of pontifical authority by the sup-
" et sic totum fere regnum, quod est
speciale patrimonium beati Petri, pro
quo iuramento fidclitatis apostolice
sedi tenetur et ipsius ligius vassallus
existit, quantum in eo est, in favillam
quasi et cinerem iam redegit; quod si
postquam monitus fuerit a nobis, non
duxerit corrigendum, no* super hoc
actore Domino, sicut expedire videbi-
mus procedemus. "
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? 286 TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL POWERS. [PART II.
port he had given to the Milanese, mostly heretics. While
Frederick acknowledged the papal authority, to which all
Christians are subject, Gregory had shown himself unworthy
of office.
He begged the cardinals to call a General Council, to be
attended by secular as well as ecclesiastical dignitaries, in-
cluding his envoys and those of other princes; this Council
he would attend himself, and was prepared to prove all he
had said, and even more.
It was, Frederick stated, the Lombard affair that really
influenced the Pope, though he dared not make this public
because of the scandal it would cause. He had gone so far
as to offer to let him have for his own use all the tithes levied
for the Holy Land, if he would let him settle it. Gregory
had personally sworn to assist the Lombards against the
emperor. 1
1 M. G. H. , ' Const. ,' ii. 215. Ency-
clica accusatoria contra Gregorium IX. ,
20th April 1239. With regard to the
Pope's unworthiness, he writes (p. 296,
1. 36 f. ) : " Alias nobis per talem, quem
merito nostrum iudicem non habemus,
nullum posse fieri reputamus iniuriam,
utpote cum se prius inimicum capi-
talem quam iudicem nostrum et opere
fuerit professus et verbo, rebelles nos-
tros et hostes imperii publico con-
fovendo. (18) Indignum preterea se
tanti cohercione principis et generaliter
qualibet pontificalia auctoritate iudicii
reddidit, dum Mediolanensem civita-
tem, que pro maxima parte testimonio
religiosorum quamplurium fidedigno-
rum inhabitatur hereticis, contra nos
et imperium manifesto favore tuetur
. . . (19) Ilium habere preterea Christi
vicarium et successorem Petri ao dis-
pensatorem animarum fidelium in-
digne fatemur non ob dignitatis iniu-
riam, set ob persone deffectum, qui
dispensatione s cum fratrum delibera-
tione maxima concedendas in camera
sua more mercatoris cuiuslibet in libra
mercationis appendit, celatis fratrum
consiliis, cum quibus secundum eccle-
siasticam disciplinam deliberare tene-
tur, existens sibi bullator et scriptor
et forsitan etiam numerator. . . .
(21) Itaquenonmireturuniversaliseccle-
sia nec populus christianus, si nos talis
sentencias iudicis non veremur, non
in contemptu papalis officii vel appos-
tolice dignitatis, cui omnes ortodosse
fidei professores et nos specialius ceteris
subesse fatemur, set persone prevarica-
tionem arguimus, que se solio tanti
regiminis monstravit indignam. . . .
(p. 297, 1. 30 f. ), eoce quod sacrosancte
Romane ecclesie cardinales per san-
guinem Iesu Christi et sub attestatione
divini iudicii per nuncios nostros et
litteras at testamur, ut generale con-
cilium prelatorum et aliorum Christi
fidelium debeant evocare; nunciis
etiam vestris et reliquorum principum
accersitis, in quorum presencia nos ipsi
presentes cuncta que diximus sum us
hostendere et probare parati, et his
? ? etiam duriora. "
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? CHAP, m. ] FREDERICK H. , HONORIUS HI. , GREGORY IX. 287
The Pope's reply followed two months later, and when
it came, it was even more violent. Frederick is the beast
full of blasphemy of the Apocalypse, a fabricator of false-
hoods, a vessel filled with abominations, a supporter of
the wicked, one who delights to be called the forerunner
of Antichrist.
Gregory told the story of Frederick's protection by the
Church, in Sicily during his childhood and later on in Ger-
many, and of his own friendship. He repeated the old charges
in connection with the crusade, the invasion of the papal
patrimony, and his misdeeds in Sicily, which he had almost
reduced to ashes by his greed for money, and where he had
endeavoured by bribes to get his way in spiritual matters. As
regards Lombardy, the emperor had brought his troubles on
himself by using force, notwithstanding the Pope's warning,
and even when he had gone there without any military force,
he had spoiled his case by taking sides. So far had the Pope
been from putting difficulties in his way that when Frederick
entered Lombardy with armed forces, he had suspended the
interdict, during the time of Frederick's stay, from any town
subject to it. He defended again as in previous letters his
appointment of the Bishop of Palestrina as legate. He had
never offered Frederick the tithes, and denied as figments
Frederick's tales about Viterbo and other places, while as
regards Enzio and his niece, it was Frederick who desired the
marriage. He had shown his heretical tendencies by denying
the Church the power of binding and loosing, and evidence
omnium re gum et principum humiliatio
creditur, si cesaris Romani potencia,
cuius clipeus prima iacula sustinet,
conteratur. Hec est namque causa
pro vero, videlicet de Lombardis,
que cor pape pungebat et urebat
intrinsecus, licet ipsam foris educe ro
propter vestrum et audientium om-
nium scandalum non auderet. Pro
qua nobis per epecialem nuncium suum
fide dignissimum, cuius ad hec testi-
monium invocamus, oretenus exprese
promisit, quod si negocium Lombar-
dorum in eius arbitrio poneremus,
nedum quod in aliquo magnificentium
nostram o&enderet, verum etiam tocius
or bis decimas Terre Sancte necessai-
tatibus consecratas nostris utibtatibus
applicabat. (2S) Nec est mirum; in stan-
tibus etinem et accutis Lombardorum
aculeis pungebatur, quibus, prout per
aliquorum prelatorum confessionem
accepimus, contra nos et imperium
corporale prestitit sacramentum, cum
ipsos, peregrinantibus nobis in partibus
Syrie pro servicio Iesu Christi, trans-
mis it in Regnum. "
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? 288
[PABT n.
TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL POWERS.
would be forthcoming that he had declared the whole world
to be deceived by three impostors--Christ, Moses, and
Mahomet,--and that he had denied the possibility of the
virgin birth. 1
Frederick replied at once to the cardinals, protesting his
orthodoxy, and defending his refusal to allow Gregory the
power of binding and loosing, as he was no true pontiff. 2
Meanwhile Gregory made preparations to carry the war into
1 Epis. Sao. XHi. , vol. i. 760.
Gregory to the Archbishop of Rheims
and his suffragans, 12th July 1239.
He begins his letter by an attack on
Frederick, " Ascendit de mari bestia
blasphemie plena nominibus . . . os
suum in blasphemias divini nominis
aperit. . . . " With regard to the
origin of his troubles in Lombardy,
the Pope remarks (p. 648, 1. 34 f. ):
" Qui etei in Lombardiam famulis
stipatus inermibus accessisset, quia
tamen consilii fidelis oblitus in partem
Cremonensium cedens actor factus
est scismatis, scissamque in dis-
cordias Lombardiam fortius soindere
et Mediolanenses a se terroribus et
minis abigere studuit, quos cum
adversa parte ad unitetem trahere
potius debuit in funiculis caritatis,
non est quod nostra imputetur inno-
centie, si spe frustratus in Apuliam
rediit. " With regard to Frederick's
assertion that Gregory could not place
him under excommunication, the Pope
pointed out that he thus implicitly
denied the power of Peter and his
successors to bind and to loose
(p. 653, 1. 34 f. ). " Set quia minus
bene ab aliquibus credi posset, quod
se verbis non illaqueavrerit oris sui,
probationes in fidei victoriam sumt
parato, quod iste rex pestilentie a
tribus barrattatoribus, ut eius verbis
utamur, scilicet Christo Iesu, Moyse
et Machometo, totum mundum fuisse
deceptum, . . . insuper dilucida voce
afflrmare vel potius mentiri presump-
sit, quod omnes illi sunt fatui, qui
credunt nasci de virgine Deum, qui
creavit naturam et omnia, potuisse ; "
? H. B. , vol. v. p. 348 f. Frederick
answers the papal charges : " Cardi-
nales adhortatus ut summum ponti-
ficem a suis illicitis motibus oompes-
cant; alioquin timeant ne ad ultiones
cesareas ipse procedere eogatur. ''
Frederick commences his letter by
comparing the Papacy and the empire
to the sun and moon: " ut et si so
multotiens ex obliquo respiciant, unum
tamen alterum non offendit; immo
quod est superius inferiori suam oom-
municat claritatem. "
Frederick gives a confession of faith,
and declares as regards Mahomet,
" corpus in sere pendere didicimus,
obsessum demonibus, animam Inferni
? ? cruciatibus deditam. " Frederick is
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? CHAP, in. ] FREDERICK IX, HONOEIUS m. , GREGORY IX. 289
Frederick's territories, and the Venetians undertook to pro-
vide a certain number of ships for the seizure of the kingdom
of Sicily. The Pope, on the other hand, gave them certain
fiefs and privileges in the kingdom, and undertook that the
Church would provide for the fulfilment of this agreement
in case it made over the " regnum " to any one else. He also
provided that Venice should be included in case the Church
and Frederick made peace. 1
Gregory appealed to Louis IX. to help him against Frederick.
In his letter he repeated his charge of heresy in connection
with the question of the virgin birth. 2 We have not got
Louis' reply, but we know from a letter that he wrote the
emperor that he refused to give any assistance. 3 Attempts
1 Epis. Sae. XIII. , vol. i. 833, 23rd
September 1239. Agreement of Vene-
tians to supply galleys for the con-
quest of Sicily, &c. L. C. , 834, 24th
September. Grant of fiefs to the doge
and " commune" of the Venetians
in places in the Sicilian kingdom
occupied by them. " tibi et per te
communitati predicte, postquam ea
fuerint occupata, in feudum perpetuum
concedemus. " L. c. , 835, same date,
undertaking that these pacta are to
be observed by any person to whom
the kingdom may be made over by
the Papacy. L. c. , 838, same date.
A promise that should peace be made
with Frederick the Venetians would
be included.
? H. -B. , vol. v. 457, 21st October
1239. Gregory to Louis IX. "Hinc
est quod nos Christi qui pro salute
hominis descendens e celis ad prodi-
candum evagelium in universum muu-
dum transmisit apostolos, exemplo
compulsi, ad te precipuum, te car is-
simum Ecclesie filium, te speciale sub-
sidium, te refugium singulare, vene-
rabilem fratrem nostrum episcopum
1'enestrinum . . . officio sibi legationis
commisso pro defensione fidei pro qua
laborare tenetur quilibet qui Christiana
professione censetur, dirigimus et per
VOL. V.
eum in tante necessitatis articulo tui
brachii auxilium invocamus. Cum
enim pugnare pro eripienda Terra
Sancta de m&nibus paganorum sit
perpetue vite meritorium, multo ma-
jor is meriti ease credit ur si eorum qui
oxterminium fidei in qua salus totius
mundi consistit et Ecclesie machi-
nantur generalia excidium, impietas
expugnetur. Speramus autem et pro
firmo tenemus quod Jhesu Christo qui
pro redemptione tua servi formam
acoipiens proprium sanguinem erudeli
perforatus lancea fundere et in oruce
mortis voluit subire tormentum, qui
diebus istis a dicto F. eum asserento
in utero Virginis minime descendisse,
crudeliter in se et membris suis ac
multipliciter impugnatur, curabis tan-
quam atlete dominicus potenter aseis-
tere, et honorem Christi cui nulla debes
vel potes ratione deesse et Ecclesie
? ? spouse sue, bonum statum fidei et
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? 290
[PAKT H.
TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL POWERS.
were also made to stir up a crusade against Frederick, as, for
instance, in Hungary. 1
The papal party in Germany endeavoured to induce some
foreign prince to stand as a candidate for the empire, but
no one could be got to come forward. 2
Frederick, on the other hand, wrote early in 1240, in
answer to a letter from the Archbishop of Messina, that
he had tried by humility to obtain the Pope's favour, but
as this had failed he was resolved now to adopt a different
course, and to recover from the Pope the lands long held
by the empire. 3 He justified his action to Henry III. ,
and gave an account of the machinations of the Pope, who
had stirred up rebellion in the Mark of Treviso and in
Eavenna. *
In April and May 1240 a number of German princes endeav-
oured to get the Pope to agree to the opening of peace nego-
tiations, as Frederick had declared he was prepared " stare
1 L. c. , vol. v. 1095, 12th February
1241. Gregory to his subdeacon, John
de Ciudale. " Cum tibi duxerimus
injungendum ut contra Friderioum in
Ungarie regno verbum cruris propo-
neres et nonnulli in dicto regno in
Terre Sancte subsidium susceperint
signum cruris, ex quo impedimentum
non modicum tuo proposito generatur,
nos devotioni tue ut vota crucesigna-
torum ipsorum in defensionem Ecclesie
contra Friderioum eumdem, si eorum
ad id consensus accesserit, commutare
valeas. "
* Hoefler Albert v. Beham, &c. , p.
22, 5th September 1270. Letter from
Albert to the Pope. " Cseterum, Pater
Sancte ! scire cupio Sanotitatem ves-
tram, ita tamen, pie pater I ut sepul-
tum maneat in seternum, quod electio
regis in Alamannia retardatur, quia
junior rex Dacis e a proposito omnino
recessit, patre suo dissuadente et lapsu
regis Bohemise faciente, fit tamen
novus tractatus super hos circa ducem
Austrise et filium sanctse Elizabeth,
et quid possit apud illos inveniri,
adhuo ignoramus, et si secrotissimum
cordium principum Alamannise, spiri-
tualium et secularium, scire cupitis
et de omnibus ad ecclesise honorem
informari, quodsi et per vos, tantum
sine electione principum et tantum de
bona voluntate ipsorum novum cupitis
regem creare*' to bid the Bishop of
Strassburg to send him " nobilem
virum Henricum de Neiffe. "
?
