| BARBAROSSA: German King and Roman Emperor |
On March 4,1152, Friedrich 1 was crowned German king. He was a tall, strong
man of majestic appearance with a thick red beard. People would call him Rotbart
or Barbarossa. There was great joy because it was hoped that he would end the
internal strife of the kingdom since he had the blood of rival dynasties as the son
of the Friedrich II, the Hohenstaufen Duke of Swabia, and Judith, daughter of
Heinrich IX, the Welfen Duke of Bavaria. Their hopes were not misplaced.
man of majestic appearance with a thick red beard. People would call him Rotbart
or Barbarossa. There was great joy because it was hoped that he would end the
internal strife of the kingdom since he had the blood of rival dynasties as the son
of the Friedrich II, the Hohenstaufen Duke of Swabia, and Judith, daughter of
Heinrich IX, the Welfen Duke of Bavaria. Their hopes were not misplaced.
In 1187, the Pope proclaimed another Crusade after the Moslems under Saladin had recaptured
Jerusalem from the Christians. Barbarossa immediately raised 150,000 Crusaders and left for
Palestine, passing through Asia Minor where they attacked and defeated the Moslem forces in two
great battles. The aging Barbarossa was said to have drowned here in a freak accident, and his body
was recovered and buried at Antioch (some accounts say that he died on the way back from Turkey
from a fever). The grief-struck German Crusaders, his son among them, in large part returned to
Germany, where the news of Barbarossa's death caused anguished grief across Germany.
Jerusalem from the Christians. Barbarossa immediately raised 150,000 Crusaders and left for
Palestine, passing through Asia Minor where they attacked and defeated the Moslem forces in two
great battles. The aging Barbarossa was said to have drowned here in a freak accident, and his body
was recovered and buried at Antioch (some accounts say that he died on the way back from Turkey
from a fever). The grief-struck German Crusaders, his son among them, in large part returned to
Germany, where the news of Barbarossa's death caused anguished grief across Germany.
The negotiations between the king and the pope had revealed a radical difference between the
policies of the Church and the State. The king, although a deeply religious man, was convinced that
while the secular and ecclesiastical powers should cooperate with each other, the pope should respect
him as the imperial lord. This led to constant conflict between Barbarossa and Rome.
policies of the Church and the State. The king, although a deeply religious man, was convinced that
while the secular and ecclesiastical powers should cooperate with each other, the pope should respect
him as the imperial lord. This led to constant conflict between Barbarossa and Rome.
Lombardy, a province in Northern Italy, was at that time part of the German Empire, and in 1158,
its main city of Milan revolted, bringing down upon themselves an army of 100,000 German soldiers
led by Barbarossa. After a long siege, the city surrendered, only to rebel and be defeated again. This
resulted in Milan and the other Lombard cities of Verona, Vicenza and Padua forming the Lombard
League. They were soon joined by Venice, Constantinople, and Sicily. Barbarossa requested help
from various German dukes to defeat them and all but his cousin Heinrich the Lion, Duke of Saxony
responded favorably. The Lombards completely defeated Barbarossa's army, and he was forced to
grant freedom to Lombardy. The other dukes charged Heinrich the Lion with treason and then
summoned him to a meeting of the nobles to which he refused to appear, and in his absence the
dukes declared him guilty and took away all he possessed except the lands he had inherited.
its main city of Milan revolted, bringing down upon themselves an army of 100,000 German soldiers
led by Barbarossa. After a long siege, the city surrendered, only to rebel and be defeated again. This
resulted in Milan and the other Lombard cities of Verona, Vicenza and Padua forming the Lombard
League. They were soon joined by Venice, Constantinople, and Sicily. Barbarossa requested help
from various German dukes to defeat them and all but his cousin Heinrich the Lion, Duke of Saxony
responded favorably. The Lombards completely defeated Barbarossa's army, and he was forced to
grant freedom to Lombardy. The other dukes charged Heinrich the Lion with treason and then
summoned him to a meeting of the nobles to which he refused to appear, and in his absence the
dukes declared him guilty and took away all he possessed except the lands he had inherited.
These internal troubles prevented the Emperor's success with the League and a deadly fever had
decimated his army as well. Conditions had also changed in Italy, and the Pope went from being an
opponent of the Normans to being their ally and asserting of the power of the pope over emperors.
Barbarossa's repeated attempts to overthrow the League and the Pope failed, and this left him willing
to negotiate for peace, the most important result of which was the treaty of Venice, 1177 when the
Emperor had to confess the defeat of the imperial pretensions.
decimated his army as well. Conditions had also changed in Italy, and the Pope went from being an
opponent of the Normans to being their ally and asserting of the power of the pope over emperors.
Barbarossa's repeated attempts to overthrow the League and the Pope failed, and this left him willing
to negotiate for peace, the most important result of which was the treaty of Venice, 1177 when the
Emperor had to confess the defeat of the imperial pretensions.
However, with the Treaty of Constance in 1183 between the Emperor and the Lombards, the pope
was deprived of his important allies, the combined cities of Northern Italy. When Barbarossa's son
Heinrich married Constance, the Norman princess of Sicily, the papacy was suddenly threatened by
both the north and the south. The coronation of Barbarossa's son Heinrich as King of Italy in 1186
led to an open rupture. With the aid of most German bishops, Barbarossa evaded threatening peril.
was deprived of his important allies, the combined cities of Northern Italy. When Barbarossa's son
Heinrich married Constance, the Norman princess of Sicily, the papacy was suddenly threatened by
both the north and the south. The coronation of Barbarossa's son Heinrich as King of Italy in 1186
led to an open rupture. With the aid of most German bishops, Barbarossa evaded threatening peril.
Barbarossa now devoted himself to uniting Germany and keeping peace among the nobles in the
different provinces. He used various unusual means to accomplish his goal, and in one instance he
forced two constantly quarreling nobles to walk the breadth of the land with dogs upon their
shoulders. His methods worked, and his reign was at peace for many years, enabling it to prosper.
Barbarossa gained the love and respect of his people. On his eastern frontier, he successfully
Germanized and Christianized the local tribes, and he also maintained amicable relations with
Poland, Denmark and Hungary.
different provinces. He used various unusual means to accomplish his goal, and in one instance he
forced two constantly quarreling nobles to walk the breadth of the land with dogs upon their
shoulders. His methods worked, and his reign was at peace for many years, enabling it to prosper.
Barbarossa gained the love and respect of his people. On his eastern frontier, he successfully
Germanized and Christianized the local tribes, and he also maintained amicable relations with
Poland, Denmark and Hungary.
| With Charlemagne as his ideal of a German emperor, Friedrich was determined to expand his supremacy to its utmost limits. In this context, Barbarossa sought to make the power of the crown as independent as possible by vigorously furthering the interests of his ancestral house. To accomplish this, he hired managers and ministeriales, who were also warriors. |
| Sons of Barbarossa |
Heinrich VI (1165 – 1197) was king of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor from 1190-1197. He
was the son of the emperor Barbarossa and Beatrix of Burgundy, and at four years old was crowned
King of the Romans at Bamberg in June 1169. After receiving the Empire from his father, he
engaged in a Crusade from 1189 to 1190. He wed Constance of Sicily 1186. After the death of her
father William II of Sicily in 1189, Heinrich added the Sicilian crown to his own.
was the son of the emperor Barbarossa and Beatrix of Burgundy, and at four years old was crowned
King of the Romans at Bamberg in June 1169. After receiving the Empire from his father, he
engaged in a Crusade from 1189 to 1190. He wed Constance of Sicily 1186. After the death of her
father William II of Sicily in 1189, Heinrich added the Sicilian crown to his own.
In Rome in 1191, Heinrich and Constance were crowned Emperor and Empress
by Pope Celestine III., but the barons of southern Italy chose Tancred, a local
relative of the Norman ruling family, as their king. Heinrich besieged Naples, but
he had to quit after his army was devastated by a plague and his wife was taken
prisoner and brought to Tancred. Moreover, Heinrich the Lion had revolted
again, forcing him to return to Northern Germany. However, a lucky thing
happened: Leopold, the duke of Austria, had taken King Richard I. of England
as prisoner, and Heinrich managed to receive a large English ransom for
him.With this money he raised a powerful army.
by Pope Celestine III., but the barons of southern Italy chose Tancred, a local
relative of the Norman ruling family, as their king. Heinrich besieged Naples, but
he had to quit after his army was devastated by a plague and his wife was taken
prisoner and brought to Tancred. Moreover, Heinrich the Lion had revolted
again, forcing him to return to Northern Germany. However, a lucky thing
happened: Leopold, the duke of Austria, had taken King Richard I. of England
as prisoner, and Heinrich managed to receive a large English ransom for
him.With this money he raised a powerful army.
| "Now fare you well and ride, closest of all men, chosen one that I so desire most again. I'll die with longing for you every day: not even God can pay me back, in all the world, for what I'll lack," said she, "while you're away." "It was your fortune, good friend, that we lay face to face: I touch you in my mind and still feel your embrace. I want you to feel the thoughts I hold, since you are what is best in them, as the setting of a noble gem adorns a work of gold." |
His son, Emperor Friedrich II., the last of the Hohenstauffens, was
regarded not only as one of the most fascinating ruler personalities of
the Middle Ages, but also as a scientist. After observations of birds
for many decades, he wrote an extremely detailed text book about the
falcon hunt under the title "De venandi cum avibus" ("The Art of
Hunting with Birds"). The scientific accuracy and information of the
text are enriched by the glorious illustrations.
regarded not only as one of the most fascinating ruler personalities of
the Middle Ages, but also as a scientist. After observations of birds
for many decades, he wrote an extremely detailed text book about the
falcon hunt under the title "De venandi cum avibus" ("The Art of
Hunting with Birds"). The scientific accuracy and information of the
text are enriched by the glorious illustrations.
Called stupor mundi, and the "astonishment of the world", Friedrich II, Holy Roman Emperor, was
born on December 26, 1194. His 40 year old mother was said to have given birth in a marketplace.
Unlike most Holy Roman emperors, Friedrich spent little of his life in Germany. His mother was the
daughter of Roger II of Sicily, and he was raised and lived most of his life in Sicily. After his father
died at age 31, Friedrich came under the guardianship of the pope, who neglected him. In Palermo,
he grew up like a street urchin. When he was 14 years old, Pope Innocent III arranged his marriage
to Constance, the 25 years old daughter of the king of Aragon.
born on December 26, 1194. His 40 year old mother was said to have given birth in a marketplace.
Unlike most Holy Roman emperors, Friedrich spent little of his life in Germany. His mother was the
daughter of Roger II of Sicily, and he was raised and lived most of his life in Sicily. After his father
died at age 31, Friedrich came under the guardianship of the pope, who neglected him. In Palermo,
he grew up like a street urchin. When he was 14 years old, Pope Innocent III arranged his marriage
to Constance, the 25 years old daughter of the king of Aragon.
Later, the Pope supported Friedrich as a legitimate king to act as a balance to disfavored Emperor
Otto, and in 1212, Friedrich was brought to Rome and given a papal indoctrination. Soon, Friedrich
made a voyage and with the pope's blessing conquered Otto's empire without spilling a drop of
blood. Friedrich was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in Rome by Honorius III on November 22,
1220, while his oldest son, another Heinrich, simultaneously took the title of King of the Romans.
Otto, and in 1212, Friedrich was brought to Rome and given a papal indoctrination. Soon, Friedrich
made a voyage and with the pope's blessing conquered Otto's empire without spilling a drop of
blood. Friedrich was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in Rome by Honorius III on November 22,
1220, while his oldest son, another Heinrich, simultaneously took the title of King of the Romans.
Friedrich died peacefully on December 13, 1250 in Puglia. At the time of his death, his preeminent
position in Europe was challenged but not lost: his testament left his legitimate son Conrad IV the
Imperial and Sicilian crowns. Son Manfred received the principate of Taranto and the government of
the Kingdom, son Heinrich got the Kingdom of Arles and that of Jerusalem, and his grandson was
entrusted the Duchy of Austria and the Marquisate of Styria. His will was that all the lands he had
taken from the Church were to be returned to it, all the prisoners freed, and the taxes reduced.
position in Europe was challenged but not lost: his testament left his legitimate son Conrad IV the
Imperial and Sicilian crowns. Son Manfred received the principate of Taranto and the government of
the Kingdom, son Heinrich got the Kingdom of Arles and that of Jerusalem, and his grandson was
entrusted the Duchy of Austria and the Marquisate of Styria. His will was that all the lands he had
taken from the Church were to be returned to it, all the prisoners freed, and the taxes reduced.
The last legitimate male heir of the Hohenstaufen dynasty was Friedrich's grandson Conradin, son of
Conrad IV. Born March 25, 1252 at Burg Wolfstein near Landshut, he held the titles of Duke of
Swabia, King of Jerusalem and Sicily. He invaded Italy in 1268 to reclaim his Kingdom from Charles
of Anjou, but lost and was captured at the Battle of Tagliacozzo and publicly executed in Naples at
age 16 on October 29, 1268.
Conrad IV. Born March 25, 1252 at Burg Wolfstein near Landshut, he held the titles of Duke of
Swabia, King of Jerusalem and Sicily. He invaded Italy in 1268 to reclaim his Kingdom from Charles
of Anjou, but lost and was captured at the Battle of Tagliacozzo and publicly executed in Naples at
age 16 on October 29, 1268.
In 1284 Friedrich's ghost resurfaced in the form of a very convincing impostor, Tile Kolup, who
impersonated the emperor so expertly that even those who had known the true Friedrich believed
him. Kolup was captured and executed, but rumors persist to this day that Kolup had been another
illegitimate son of Friedrich II.
impersonated the emperor so expertly that even those who had known the true Friedrich believed
him. Kolup was captured and executed, but rumors persist to this day that Kolup had been another
illegitimate son of Friedrich II.
He was crowned king, and since Sicily added money without
comparison in Europe, he became the most powerful monarch
both Europe and the Mediterranean. In 1194, he had a son
Friedrich, the future emperor and king of Sicily and Jerusalem.
In 1197, a revolt took place, mainly in southern Sicily where
Arabs were the majority of the population, and his soldiers
suppressed it mercilessly. In the same year, Heinrich felt ready
for a Crusade, but on September 28, he died of malaria in
Messina. Heinrich was intelligent, eloquent, fluent in Latin and
quite knowledgeable as to Roman law. He was a patron of
prophets and poetry, and probably composed the song "Kaiser
Heinrich." The poem on the right is a song of Heinrich's about
a lady and her love, "Rîtest du nu hinnen"
comparison in Europe, he became the most powerful monarch
both Europe and the Mediterranean. In 1194, he had a son
Friedrich, the future emperor and king of Sicily and Jerusalem.
In 1197, a revolt took place, mainly in southern Sicily where
Arabs were the majority of the population, and his soldiers
suppressed it mercilessly. In the same year, Heinrich felt ready
for a Crusade, but on September 28, he died of malaria in
Messina. Heinrich was intelligent, eloquent, fluent in Latin and
quite knowledgeable as to Roman law. He was a patron of
prophets and poetry, and probably composed the song "Kaiser
Heinrich." The poem on the right is a song of Heinrich's about
a lady and her love, "Rîtest du nu hinnen"
In the following April, he solved the problem with Heinrich the Lion. Then Tancred died, and
Heinrich had Tancred's young heir blinded and castrated and many Sicilian nobles burned alive.
Heinrich had Tancred's young heir blinded and castrated and many Sicilian nobles burned alive.
Friedrich remained emperor and King of Sicily until his death in 1250. He was excommunicated
twice, and even called the anti-Christ by Pope Gregory IX, as his empire was frequently at odds with
the Papal States. In 1224, Friedrich II confirmed the inhabitants of Terra Prussia, Prussian Lands,
as Reichsfreie: under authority of the emperor, accountable only to the empire and the church and
exempted from service to or jurisdiction of any local dukes. Later in 1224, the pope authorized
bishop William of Modena as Legate in Prussia. In 1226, by means of the Golden Bull of Rimini, he
confirmed the legitimacy of rule by the Teutonic Knights under their headmaster Hermann von Salza
over the Prussian lands east of the Vistula.
twice, and even called the anti-Christ by Pope Gregory IX, as his empire was frequently at odds with
the Papal States. In 1224, Friedrich II confirmed the inhabitants of Terra Prussia, Prussian Lands,
as Reichsfreie: under authority of the emperor, accountable only to the empire and the church and
exempted from service to or jurisdiction of any local dukes. Later in 1224, the pope authorized
bishop William of Modena as Legate in Prussia. In 1226, by means of the Golden Bull of Rimini, he
confirmed the legitimacy of rule by the Teutonic Knights under their headmaster Hermann von Salza
over the Prussian lands east of the Vistula.
Known for his unusual tolerance, Friedrich did not exterminate the Saracens of Sicily, but allowed
them to settle and build mosques and even serve in his army as his bodyguards. He had a genuine
thirst for knowledge and it is believed that he knew Arabic very well. Because of his lifelong interest
in Islam, as well as his religious scepticism (he is said to have denounced Moses and Jesus as being
frauds and deceivers of mankind), some saw him as a dissenter from Christendom.
them to settle and build mosques and even serve in his army as his bodyguards. He had a genuine
thirst for knowledge and it is believed that he knew Arabic very well. Because of his lifelong interest
in Islam, as well as his religious scepticism (he is said to have denounced Moses and Jesus as being
frauds and deceivers of mankind), some saw him as a dissenter from Christendom.
He loved Falconry and maintained up to 50 hawkers a time for his court. Friedrich
maintained a mobile zoo which included hounds, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, lynxes,
leopards and exotic birds. In 1232, he sent the Egyptian sultan a rare white bear in
exchange for a planetary worth 20,000 marks as Friedrich was also attracted by stars
and had filled his court with astrologers and astronomers. He communicated with major
scholars of the time both in Europe and abroad, and he enacted several legal reforms.
maintained a mobile zoo which included hounds, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, lynxes,
leopards and exotic birds. In 1232, he sent the Egyptian sultan a rare white bear in
exchange for a planetary worth 20,000 marks as Friedrich was also attracted by stars
and had filled his court with astrologers and astronomers. He communicated with major
scholars of the time both in Europe and abroad, and he enacted several legal reforms.
Sadly, all of Friedrich's heirs met unlucky fates. Friedrich's son from his first wife Constance of
Aragon was born in 1211 in Sicily. After quarrelling with his father and forming an alliance with the
Lombard League, he was captured by Friedrich's forces and imprisoned from 1236 until he died in
Martirano in 1242 after an attempted suicide. Friedrich's son Conrad IV, born of his second wife
Yolande de Brienne in 1228 became King of Jerusalem at birth, and in 1237 was elected German
king and future emperor in Vienna. In 1250, he succeeded his father as King of Sicily as well, but
died May 21, 1254 of malaria in an army camp in Lavello.
Aragon was born in 1211 in Sicily. After quarrelling with his father and forming an alliance with the
Lombard League, he was captured by Friedrich's forces and imprisoned from 1236 until he died in
Martirano in 1242 after an attempted suicide. Friedrich's son Conrad IV, born of his second wife
Yolande de Brienne in 1228 became King of Jerusalem at birth, and in 1237 was elected German
king and future emperor in Vienna. In 1250, he succeeded his father as King of Sicily as well, but
died May 21, 1254 of malaria in an army camp in Lavello.
Friedrich's illegitimate son Manfred, King of Sicily, was born in 1231 to Bianca, the daughter of
Count Bonifacio Lancia. Manfred initially acted as regent for Conrad's son Conradin and as King of
Sicily after 1258, but after Friedrich's continuing conflicts with the Pope, he was placed under papal
interdict. Manfred died February 26, 1266 in battle near Benevento against Charles of Anjou, brother
to the French King. His wife Helena, and also their sons Friedrich and Heinrich died in prison after
lifelong solitary confinement where they were "raised like animals, never even learning human
speech." In 1249, son Enzio held the titles of King of Sardinia and Imperial vicar in Northern Italy
before life in prison in Bologna. He died in 1272.
Count Bonifacio Lancia. Manfred initially acted as regent for Conrad's son Conradin and as King of
Sicily after 1258, but after Friedrich's continuing conflicts with the Pope, he was placed under papal
interdict. Manfred died February 26, 1266 in battle near Benevento against Charles of Anjou, brother
to the French King. His wife Helena, and also their sons Friedrich and Heinrich died in prison after
lifelong solitary confinement where they were "raised like animals, never even learning human
speech." In 1249, son Enzio held the titles of King of Sardinia and Imperial vicar in Northern Italy
before life in prison in Bologna. He died in 1272.