The History of the Holy War, Book 3 · Chapter 30
Chap. 30. Mines and countermines betwixt the Emperour and the Pope, seeking to blow up, or at leastwise to stay the projects each of other.
IT is verily conceived that the Pope provided this match for Frederick to imploy him in Palestine, whilest he at home might play his game at pleasure. For as provident Nature in marshalling the elements, assigned fire a place in the verge and border of this lower world farre from the rest, lest otherwise the activity thereof might set the others in combustion: so the Pope disposed this hot violent-spirited Emperour farre off, and engaged him in a distant and dangerous warre out of the borders of Europe.
Frederick smelt the project of his Holinesse, being also master in the art of dissembling, though he must acknowledge the Pope his senior in that faculty: Wherefore he deferred the performance of his promise and his voyage into Palestine from monethmonth to monethmonth, and yeare to yeare, wisely gaining time by losing it.
The truth was, he was not yet ripe for such an expedition. The Pope was afraid of his valour, he of the Popes treachery, and more feared him behind his back then the Turk before his face. He was loth to let go the Eagle he had in hand, to catch the little bird that was in the bush. Wherefore as yet he refused to go, pleading that the eight yeares truce which King Bren had made with the Turks, was not yet expired; before which time to fight against them, was to fight against God and conscience: and that it was no way to propagate the Faith by breach of faith.
Pope Honorius continued still to put him in mind of his promise: Yea, he rubbed his memory so roughly, he fetched off the skinne, with his threats and menaces. But before Fredericks journey began,Mar. 19. Honorius his life ended, and Gregory the ninth succeeded him; who at the first dash excommunicated the Emperour for his delay.
Know by the way, that his name-sake Gregory the seventh (otherwise Hildebrand) first hanselled his excommunication on Henry the fourth. Before his time the Imperiall majesty (what is observed of the Seal, that it is never hit with thunder) was never fulminated against with excommunication: afterward nothing more usuall; till the commonnesse of those thunderbolts caused their contempt, and the Emperours natures were so used to this physick it would not work with them. Of late his Holinesse is grown more advised, very sparingly using them, especially against Protestant Princes; counting it policie to hold that weapon within the scabbard which hath no other edge but what is given it by the opinion of those against whom it is used.
Frederick at last cometh forth of Germany with his armie, marcheth through Italy, cometh to Brindisi, where the plague seiseth on his men, whereof died the Landtgrave of Thuringia,Sept. 13. and others. Soon after he fell very desperately sick himself, which stayed his journey many moneths.
It went neare to the Pope, that the Emperour was so neare to him: His case now was worse then formerly: For he had rouzed the Lion out of his denne, but could not get him into the net. His sicknesse must either be more or lesse to do good. And the Pope having no variety of weapons, excommunicated him afresh, pretending Fredericks disease was onelyonly the cramp of lazinesse, and that he was sick to do good, but swooned to do mischief; as appeared by his unjust seising on the goods of Lewis Landtgrave of Thuringia late deceased.
The Emperour protested his innocencie, accused the Popes injustice, putting himself on the triall of all Christian Princes; to whom he wrote letters.1228 At last health came, and Frederick departed,Aug. 11. bearing up with his navie for Palestine. The Pope hearing thereof, belibelled him more fouly then ever before, because like an undutifull sonne he departed without his Fathers blessing, being not absolved and reconciled to his Mother the Church.