Chapter 6: Conrad's Rebellion
The importance of the League's gains during the crusades is debatable. The property it gained in cities captured was marginally higher than the expense of its mission, but much more profitable measures could have been attempted. The real value of the crusade was securing the goodwill of Eastern Romans.
At the dawn of the 12th century, the League's position was tenuous. Genoa and Pisa had, while maintaining separate political structures, got along fairly well for a century. However both were now tied to Amalfi and the Duchies of Salerno and Gaeta, whose interests were less the expansion and maintenance of trade and League naval power than curbing Norman power in the South. By 1101, Behemond had triumphed over his brother for the title of Duke of Apulia, though his cousin Roger, Count of Sicily had successfully separated from the realm. Norman power was reduced, but the League's new possessions were far from secure.
Italy was gripped at the dawn of the 12th century in the investiture controversy, a struggle between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor. The League was close to the Pope, who's sanction had led them to conquest and wealth.
In 1085, however, the Pope had turned to the Normans to defend him, leading to a Norman sack of Rome. Genoa and Pisa were infuriated by this; it may be a contributing factor to their decision to go to war in defense of Amalfi.
The new Pope Urban II was liked by the Italians. His scheme for ending the investiture controversy involved Conrad II of Italy, the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV's son. In 1095, the pope arranged for Henry to marry the daughter of Roger, Count of Sicily, following the latter's conquest of Syracuse.
The League supported Conrad for several reasons. First, Matilda of Tuscany did in 1095 force Henry IV to retreat from her lands, which showed that the Emperor's position in Italy was so weak that he could not control his own vassals. Secondly, Conrad's alliance with the Count of Sicily put him at odds with Apulia. Third, the 1095 Council of Piacanza had accused Henry IV of various sexual indecencies, which led to Conrad II being promised the imperial crown by the Pope. Finally, Henry IV had refused to contribute to the Crusades, which as the highest ranking noble in Europe many felt he was obligated to do.
In 1098, Conrad was formally deposed and disinherited by his father. Conrad thus went to Sicily, where he contributed to the Norman civil war on behalf of Roger, seizing much Norman land for his count and overlord.
In 1101, following the return of the Crusaders, Conrad seized his opportunity to retake Italy. With the support of the Pope and Roger I he called together representatives of the Italian states to ferment rebellion against his father.
The League supported this rebellion on the condition of independence from Tuscany and the Kingdom of Italy.
Conrad's revolution was launched in early 1102. Backed by the League, Sicily, Tuscany, Spoleto and the Papa States, Conrad was initially very successful. By early 1103 all of Italy was under his control.
However, Conrad was unable to stop there. Many German lords supported his right to the Imperial throne. In addition to this, his father would certainly attempt to retake the Kingdom of Italy.
However in early 1104 Henry's younger son launched a rebellion against his excommunicated father. Henry was forced to resign the crown. Henry V of Germany however claimed the Kingdom of Italy as his brother claimed Germany.
Papal mediation resulted in a mutually unsatisfactory compromise. Italy was yielded to Conrad, who in turn yielded his right to the Empire. It is speculated that he did this due to the lack of support he received from German lords. Whatever the case, by late 1106 the Kingdom of Italy (promptly renamed by Conrad the Kingdom of Lombardy) was seperated from the Holy Roman Empire.
At the dawn of the 12th century, the League's position was tenuous. Genoa and Pisa had, while maintaining separate political structures, got along fairly well for a century. However both were now tied to Amalfi and the Duchies of Salerno and Gaeta, whose interests were less the expansion and maintenance of trade and League naval power than curbing Norman power in the South. By 1101, Behemond had triumphed over his brother for the title of Duke of Apulia, though his cousin Roger, Count of Sicily had successfully separated from the realm. Norman power was reduced, but the League's new possessions were far from secure.
Italy was gripped at the dawn of the 12th century in the investiture controversy, a struggle between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor. The League was close to the Pope, who's sanction had led them to conquest and wealth.
In 1085, however, the Pope had turned to the Normans to defend him, leading to a Norman sack of Rome. Genoa and Pisa were infuriated by this; it may be a contributing factor to their decision to go to war in defense of Amalfi.
The new Pope Urban II was liked by the Italians. His scheme for ending the investiture controversy involved Conrad II of Italy, the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV's son. In 1095, the pope arranged for Henry to marry the daughter of Roger, Count of Sicily, following the latter's conquest of Syracuse.
The League supported Conrad for several reasons. First, Matilda of Tuscany did in 1095 force Henry IV to retreat from her lands, which showed that the Emperor's position in Italy was so weak that he could not control his own vassals. Secondly, Conrad's alliance with the Count of Sicily put him at odds with Apulia. Third, the 1095 Council of Piacanza had accused Henry IV of various sexual indecencies, which led to Conrad II being promised the imperial crown by the Pope. Finally, Henry IV had refused to contribute to the Crusades, which as the highest ranking noble in Europe many felt he was obligated to do.
In 1098, Conrad was formally deposed and disinherited by his father. Conrad thus went to Sicily, where he contributed to the Norman civil war on behalf of Roger, seizing much Norman land for his count and overlord.
In 1101, following the return of the Crusaders, Conrad seized his opportunity to retake Italy. With the support of the Pope and Roger I he called together representatives of the Italian states to ferment rebellion against his father.
The League supported this rebellion on the condition of independence from Tuscany and the Kingdom of Italy.
Conrad's revolution was launched in early 1102. Backed by the League, Sicily, Tuscany, Spoleto and the Papa States, Conrad was initially very successful. By early 1103 all of Italy was under his control.
However, Conrad was unable to stop there. Many German lords supported his right to the Imperial throne. In addition to this, his father would certainly attempt to retake the Kingdom of Italy.
However in early 1104 Henry's younger son launched a rebellion against his excommunicated father. Henry was forced to resign the crown. Henry V of Germany however claimed the Kingdom of Italy as his brother claimed Germany.
Papal mediation resulted in a mutually unsatisfactory compromise. Italy was yielded to Conrad, who in turn yielded his right to the Empire. It is speculated that he did this due to the lack of support he received from German lords. Whatever the case, by late 1106 the Kingdom of Italy (promptly renamed by Conrad the Kingdom of Lombardy) was seperated from the Holy Roman Empire.