The History of the Holy War, Book 4 · Chapter 1
Chap. 1. Frederick battered with the Popes force, and undermined with his fraud, leaveth Palestine, and returneth into Italy.
Anno Dom. 1229THus the Christian affairs in Palestine were in good case and possibility of improvement. But the Pope knew he should catch no fish if the waters were thus clear: Wherefore he stirred up John Bren, Fredericks father in law (ghesse whether his plots ran not low when he used such dregs) to raise a rebellion in Italy against him.
His Holinesse spread a false report of purpose, that Frederick was dead. Who would think there were so much substance in a shadow! This vain rumour wrought reall effects, strengthening Fredericks foes with hopes, and staggering his friends with fear and uncertainties. Bren striking the iron whilest it was hot, wonne many places from the Emperour: And though Time soon after was delivered of her daughter Truth, yet the confutation came too late, to shut the doore when the steed was stoln; the Pope having attained his ends, and served his turn already.
A jubile of liberty was proclaimed to all the Emperours subjects, and they dispensed with from the Pope for their allegeance to him. Milain, and many other cities in Italy, formerly Imperiall, danced at this musick, made a foot-cloth of their Masters livery, and from this time dated themselves Free-States. Here was brave gleaning, where all ranne away with whole sheaves; where robbery was priviledged for lawfull purchase. And the Pope, wise enough not so to give away the pie but to keep the best corner for himself, carved all Apulia for his own part.
Whilest hostility in Italy, treason beset Frederick in Syria; the Templars intimated to the Sultan his private project to wash himself in Jordan, that so he might be surprized. But the Sultan (no doubt out of pity to see a Lion catched in a Foxtrap, there being a consanguinity of all Princes, and the royall bloud which runneth in their veins causing a sympathie of Majesty betwixt them) scorned to advantage himself by treachery, and sent their letters to Frederick: Who afterwards used the Templars, and generally all the Clergie in Palestine (counting them complies with the Pope) coursely, not to say cruelly.
At last having confirmed his ten yeares truce, and having appointed Reinoldus Duke of Bavaria his Lieutenant in Syria, without noise he cometh into Europe: For to return triumphantly in state, had been but an alarm to awaken envy, and a warning-piece for his enemies to prepare against him. He outsailed fame it self, landing in Italy in person before he arrived there in report. Then the love of his loyall subjects, hitherto rather covered then quenched, appeared; and though formerly forced to a contrary motion, returned now quickly to their own Prince their proper centre.
Within fifteen dayes, assisted with the Duke of Spoletum, Frederick recovered all which was wonne from him, and unravelled the fair web of John Brens victory, even to the very hemme thereof.
Then was all Italy (resembled by Geographers for the fashion thereof, to a mans legge) troubled with the incurable gout of schisme and faction: Not a city of note in it which was not dichotomized into the sect of the Guelfes, which favoured the Pope, and Gibellines, which adhered to the Emperour.
Guelfes for the Pope.
Gibellines for the Emperour.
Vrsini in Rome
Columnienses in Rome
Sabellii in Rome
Frangepanes in Rome
Caesarini in Rome
Adimarii in Florence
Pazii in Florence
Bondelmontii in Florence
Uberti in Florence
Amidei in Florence
Donati in Florence
Cerchii in Florence
Albic…i in Florence
Riccii in Florence
Strozi in Florence
Medicei in Florence
Salviati in Florence
Pactii in Florence
Interminelli in Lucca
Obicii in Lucca
Carrarii in Padua
Flosci in Genoa
Spinola in GenoaThese are collected out of Lampad. Mellif. Hist. part. 3. pag. 303.
Grimaldi in Genoa
Adurnii in Genoa
Fregosii in Genoa
Dorii in Genoa
Caneduli in Bono…ia
Bentivoli in Bono…ia
Pepuli in Bono…ia
Malvecii in Bono…ia
M…rescotti in Bono…ia
Estenses in Ferrara
Saliguerri in Ferrara
Vicecomites in Milain
Turregiani in Milain
Gonzagae in Mantua
Bonacursii in Mantua
I will not quarrel with the tradition, *Sr Iohn Harington.That Elves and Goblins in our English tongue had their first originall from the depravation of the names of Guelfes and Gibellines. If so, sure I am, what now we make terriculamenta infantum, scarecrows to affright children, were then true Harpyes to devoure men.
I would farther prosecute these discords; and also shew how Frederick was forced to ask pardon of him who had most wronged him, and dearly to purchase his absolution from the Pope; (For though this Emperours heart was as hard as stone, yet was it furrowed, dinted, and hollowed at last with the Popes constant dropping and incessant raining of curses upon him) But I dare wander no farther in this subject, lest any should question my Passe; but return back to the Holy land.