Struggle with Frederick II Pope Gregory IX

edicts of gregory ix glosses of bernardo di bottone. example of books burned germans.

at coronation of frederick ii in rome, 22 november 1220, emperor made vow embark holy land in august 1221. gregory ix began pontificate suspending holy roman emperor frederick ii, dilatoriness in carrying out promised sixth crusade. frederick ii appealed sovereigns of europe complaining of treatment. suspension followed excommunication , threats of deposition, deeper rifts appeared. frederick ii went holy land , in fact managed take possession of jerusalem. gregory ix distrusted emperor, since rainald, imperial governor of spoleto, had invaded pontifical states during emperor s absence. in june 1229, frederick ii returned holy land, routed papal army gregory ix had sent invade sicily, , made new overtures of peace pope.

gregory ix , frederick came truce, when frederick defeated lombard league in 1239, possibility might dominate of italy, surrounding papal states, became real threat. new outbreak of hostilities led fresh excommunication of emperor in 1239 , prolonged war. gregory denounced frederick ii heretic , summoned council @ rome give point anathema. frederick responded trying capture or sink many ships carrying prelates synod could. eberhard ii von truchsees, prince-archbishop of salzburg, in 1241 @ council of regensburg declared gregory ix man of perdition, whom call antichrist, in extravagant boasting says, god, cannot err . argued pope little horn of daniel 7:8:

bas-relief of gregory ix in house of representatives

a little horn has grown eyes , mouth speaking great things, reducing 3 of these kingdoms—i.e. sicily, italy, , germany—to subserviency, persecuting people of christ , saints of god intolerable opposition, confounding things human , divine, , attempting things unutterable, execrable.

the struggle terminated death of gregory ix on 22 august 1241. died before events reach climax; successor pope innocent iv declared crusade in 1245 finish hohenstaufen threat.