HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 75 



Fhilip and Otto, dictating the arrangement that Philip should be sole 

 emperor, and Otto his successor. He then revoked his anathema, and 

 Philip in turn gave his sanction to the pope's acquisitions in Italy. Philip wan 

 soon after murdered, 1208, in revenge for some imaginary offence, by Otto 

 of Wittelsbach, the nephew of him who had been elevated to the ducal 

 dignity by Philip's father. 



Otto TV, now succeeding to the throne, demanded the restoration of the 

 countries which the pope had acquired in Italy, and even asserted the right 

 of the empire to the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily. Innocent pronounced 

 an anathema against Otto, and set up as his rival the Sicilian prince, 

 Frederic, son of Henry YI., and ward of the pope, but made him promise 

 not to encroach upon the papal possessions or prerogatives. Frederic 

 received at Mayence, 1312, the homage of many princes, and not long after 

 was solemnly crowned at Aix-la-Chapelle. Thus the house of Hohenstaufen 

 again wore the imperial purple. 



Frederic II. filled the throne with great glory ; he was brave and 

 wise, and distinguished for all the virtues of a perfect prince. His reign 

 was marked by numerous ware with the popes, Lombards, and rival kings. 

 In Germany, Otto lY. was soon eclipsed by him; but in Italy the pope 

 frustrated his efforts to unite that country with Germany as a hereditary 

 empire. Frederic had promised to undertake a crusade, and as he did not 

 redeem his pledge in proper time, Gregory IX. placed him under the ban. 

 He at length started on the crusade, 1228 A.D., but did not thereby recon- 

 cile the pope, who even strove to excite general opposition to the emperor 

 in Palestine. But Frederic triumphed over all obstacles, meeting every- 

 where with the most astonishing fortune. He concluded with the Saracen's 

 a ten years' armistice ; Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth, submitted to 

 his arms, and in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre he crowned himself 

 king of Jerusalem. Returning triumphant to Italy, he expelled his 

 enemies from his dominions, and was at length reconciled with the pope. 

 For his new hereditary possessions in Italy he provided most admirable 

 regulations. 



A new insurrection broke out in Germany, headed by his son Henry, who 

 had governed during his father's absence. Fi-ederic suppressed this move- 

 ment, and sent his son to prison in Italy, where he died seven years after. 

 In 1237, Frederic obtained a complete victory over the Milanese at Corte 

 Nuova. Gregor;y IX. once more excommunicated him. Innocent lY., 

 Gregory's successor, entered readily into the quarrel. In a synod at Lyons, 

 he accused Frederic of perjury, heresy, and impiety ; and the assembly not 

 only reiterated the anathema, but deposed Frederic from his crown and 

 dignities. His German opponents elected Henry Baspe, Landgrave of 

 Thuringia in his place, 1246. Raspe enjoyed his elevation but a short 

 time ; he was beaten by Henry's son, Conrad, and died the following year, 

 1248. William, Count of Holland, was next advanced by the papal party. 

 Frederic, in the meantime, fought with the revolted Lombards, but his 

 fortune had left him. Many of his best friends fell by his side, and the 

 fickle joined his enemies. At last, after losing a battle, and seeing his son 



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