Rodolph, in knightly feats.* Vegevalle surrendered, and the Milanese in dismay burnt their bridge over the Ticino. Vercelli and Novara, allies of Milan in the late battle, sent hostages to Frederick, who granted to the former city a charter of unconditional pardon. Avignon, on the other side of the Alps, was equally loyal, and elected the Emperor as her Podesta. Now it was that he despatched the Carroccio of Milan to the chief city of his Empire. He sent at the same time a letter to the Romans, reminding them of the battle-cry raised at Cortenuova, and suggesting to the Quirites that death would be a fit punishment for any rebel who might attempt to burn the trophy. It was dragged by mules to Pontremoli, accompanied by many banners and trumpets. Gregory took the hint which his too powerful friend wished to give him; the Pope did his best to prevent the trophy being brought into Rome; it is said that he was sorrowful even unto death; this did not withhold the Ghibelline faction from welcoming it with all due honours; it was afterwards placed in the Capitol by the Cardinals.+ Frederick had added to his gift a copy of Latin verses, complimentary to Rome, but boding no good to Milan.‡ Early in February, the Emperor was at Vercelli, * Joh. Victoriensis. The verses ran thus: † Chronicon. 'Ave, decus Orbis! victus tibi destinor, ave, Væ, Mediolanum! jam sentis spernere vanum Imperii vires, proprias tibi tollere vires! Ergo triumphorum potes, Urbs, memor esse priorum, A scholar, like Frederick, should have sent to Rome better verses CHAP. XI. 1235-1239. XI. 1235-1239. CHAP. whence he rode at the head of his knights into the Canavese district: he gave audience to the Count of Savoy, to Obizzo Marquess of Malaspina, and to other nobles. All castles and towns in those parts were given up to him, and in each he placed his own Podesta. He would not enter Asti.* On the 18th of February, an event occurred which alone was wanting to complete his satisfaction. His Empress Isabella had already borne him a daughter, about fourteen months before this time. She now, at Ravenna, gave birth to a son, who was called Henry, although his ill-fated half-brother of the same name was still alive in a Calabrian fortress. The happy father thus wrote to the Earl of Cornwall, dating his letter from Turin, on the 3rd of March; 'We cannot delay the news of a joyful event. By the providence of the Supreme King, a son has been born to us, and a new nephew has been given to you. This happy circumstance takes place in the midst of our successes in Italy, which is now yielding to our sway. Since the child has been born in the midst of our victories, we trust that God has increased the old renown of the Empire, which is now once more arising after its decay, and we wish you to share in our joy.' Frederick wrote in the like strain to the burghers of Palermo and to Eccelin, reminding the latter, who put faith in astrology, that the child had been conceived under a lucky star. Not long afterwards, the Emperor had to mourn the loss of his old friend Sultan Kamel of Egypt, over whose death he shed many tears. The Mohammedan, it was said, had promised his Western brother to re * Chronicon. ceive baptism; he was certainly famed in Europe for his truthfulness, his charity, and his mercy to his enemies. He was also mourned by the sick Christians whom he had aided with large sums of money, and by the prisoners whom he had set free. An English noble of high renown joined Frederick this year, the far-famed Simon de Montfort. He came to ask the Imperial interest for a Papal decree in favour of his marriage. His bride, the sister of the Empress, had devoted herself to Heaven before wedding him. Pope Gregory, however, after receiving letters from Frederick and much money from Simon, legalized the marriage, authorizing a special decree in favour of the future Earl of Leicester. This dispensation caused great scandal in England, and the stern Dominicans raised their voices against the sentence, declaring that the Pope had been tricked. Frederick's old acquaintance in Palestine, the Poitevin Bishop of Winchester, died this year at his manor of Farnham.* The Emperor went on to Cuneo, and remained in Piedmont through the whole of March, bestowing his favours upon many convents. Savona and Albenga, both on the Riviera, gave themselves up to him, and were placed at the orders of the Marquess of Lancia. This could not have been very gratifying to the Genoese, to whom Frederick sent two ambassadors. One of these was Diotisalvi Botta, a Judge of Pavia, famed for his uprightness, wisdom, and loyalty, who thirty years after this time guided Frederick's illstarred grandson across the country between Verona and Savona. The envoys were instructed to de CHAP. XI. 1235-1239. CHAP. XI. 1235-1239. mand an oath of fealty from Genoa; it was debated in full council, and an answer was given that ambassadors should be despatched, with a message suitable both to the dignity of the Lord Emperor and to the welfare of the state of Genoa. Frederick then sent a letter to the Genoese, in which he imputed their past disloyalty to the frailty of human nature, common to all the children of Adam. He bade them equip a fleet for his service with all speed. After the Emperor's demand of a fresh oath, Fulco Guercio, who stood at the head of the Genoese Guelfs, advised that the business should not be decided by the Council alone, but that it should be laid before the whole commonwealth. A great Parliament was accordingly held in the old Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and the Emperor's letters were read. The Podesta accused Frederick of oppression in Sicily, aroused the jealousy of the people, and caused the assembly to disperse without granting what was sought.* A few months later, Genoa was placed under the ban of the Empire, and all loyal subjects were forbidden to supply it with provisions. In the mean time Frederick was steadily carrying on his preparations for the conquest of the Five rebellious cities. The whole of Christendom was to have a share in the glorious work. Surely it was the common interest of all Sovereigns to quell the spirit, which had reigned at Milan for at least three generations. Frederick's letter to the King of Hungary runs thus; Kings ought to help one another. We have chastised the Milanese with a rod of iron; had Barth. Scriba, Ann. Genuen. This event must have taken place rather later in the year. we not appeared, the bad example of rebellion must have spread into far countries. We have proclaimed XI. a Diet, which is to be held at Verona on the 1st of 1235-1239. May, to which we have summoned our son Conrad with a great body of men from Germany, and all our Princes, to crush the rebellion for ever. To the end that the might of Kings may come to the help of the Imperial host, we earnestly beg you to send to us in Italy a number of knights armed with cross-bows. You yourself should lead them, as becomes your Royal honour. We will in future be debtor to you, our connection and friend.' Frederick sent another letter to the Archbishop of Mayence, advising that an end should be made of all strife in Germany, with a view to the summer Campaign in Italy. The Count of Provence was not quite so zealous in the cause as could be wished. The Emperor's letter to him ran as follows; 'We have received with joy your letters and messengers, and we have heard of your devotion to the Empire. You say that our messenger came to you very late; we wonder at it, as we sent him on a special errand; but we think your loving letter will shine all the brighter. Your own messenger said that you had many causes of disquiet already; we cannot believe that a man of such activity and loyalty, whom we specially invite, and who ought, as being our connection, to be a pattern to others, needs directions as to the exact number of soldiers he ought to bring. The business of Lombardy will in this summer be brought to an end by us once for all; come hither, forgetting all your burdens! We cannot fix on the precise number of soldiers you are to bring. Peter, the Count of Savoy, your brother-in-law, our beloved and |