history of florence-第6部分
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emperor; who at the end of twelve years was crowned by Pope Stephen
VIII。 Henry and his wife Simeonda were persons of very holy life; as
is seen by the many temples built and endowed by them; of which the
church of St。 Miniato; near Florence; is one。 Henry died in 1024; and
was succeeded by Conrad of Suabia; and the latter by Henry II。; who
came to Rome; and as there was a schism in the church of three popes;
he set them all aside; and caused the election of Clement II。; by whom
he was crowned emperor。
CHAPTER IV
Nicholas II。 commits the election of the pope to the cardinals
First example of a prince deprived of his dominions by the pope
Guelphs and GhibellinesEstablishment of the kingdom of Naples
Pope Urban II。 goes to FranceThe first crusadeNew orders of
knighthoodSaladin takes from the Christians their possessions in
the eastDeath of the Countess MatildaCharacter of Frederick
BarbarossaSchismFrederick creates an anti…popeBuilding of
Alexandria in PugliaDisgraceful conditions imposed by the pope
upon Henry; king of EnglandReconciliation of Frederick with the
popeThe kingdom of Naples passes to the GermansOrders of St。
Dominic and St。 Francis。
Italy was at this time governed partly by the people; some districts
by their own princes; and others by the deputies of the emperor。 The
highest in authority; and to whom the others referred; was called the
chancellor。 Of the princes; the most powerful were Godfred and the
Countess Matilda his wife; who was daughter of Beatrice; the sister of
Henry II。 She and her husband possessed Lucca; Parma; Reggio; Mantua;
and the whole of what is now called THE PATRIMONY OF THE CHURCH。 The
ambition of the Roman people caused many wars between them and the
pontiffs; whose authority had previously been used to free them from
the emperors; but when they had taken the government of the city to
themselves; and regulated it according to their own pleasure; they at
once became at enmity with the popes; who received far more injuries
from them than from any Christian potentate。 And while the popes
caused all the west to tremble with their censures; the people of Rome
were in open rebellion against them; nor had they or the popes any
other purpose; but to deprive each other of reputation and authority。
Nicholas II。 now attained the papacy; and as Gregory V。 had taken from
the Romans the right to create an emperor; he in the same manner
determined to deprive them of their share in the election of the pope;
and confined the creation to the cardinals alone。 Nor did this satisfy
him; for; having agreed with the princes who governed Calabria and
Puglia; with methods which we shall presently relate; he compelled the
officers whom the Romans appointed to their different jurisdictions;
to render obedience to him; and some of them he even deprived of their
offices。 After the death of Nicholas; there was a schism in the
church; the clergy of Lombardy refused obedience to Alexander II。;
created at Rome; and elected Cadolo of Parma anti…pope; and Henry; who
hated the power of the pontiffs; gave Alexander to understand that he
must renounce the pontificate; and ordered the cardinals to go into
Germany to appoint a new pope。 He was the first who felt the
importance of spiritual weapons; for the pope called a council at
Rome; and deprived Henry of both the empire and the kingdom。 Some of
the people of Italy took the part of the pope; others of Henry; and
hence arose the factions of the Guelphs and the Ghibellines; that
Italy; relieved from the inundations of barbarians; might be
distracted with intestine strife。 Henry; being excommunicated; was
compelled by his people to come into Italy; and fall barefooted upon
his knees before the pope; and ask his pardon。 This occurred in the
year 1082。 Nevertheless; there shortly afterward arose new discords
between the pope and Henry; upon which the pope again excommunicated
him; and the emperor sent his son; also named Henry; with an army to
Rome; and he; with the assistance of the Romans; who hated the pope;
besieged him in the fortress。 Robert Guiscard them came from Puglia to
his relief; but Henry had left before his arrival; and returned to
Germany。 The Romans stood out alone; and the city was sacked by
Robert; and reduced to ruins。 As from this Robert sprung the
establishment of the kingdom of Naples; it seems not superfluous to
relate particularly his actions and origin。
Disunion having arisen among the descendants of Charlemagne; occasion
was given to another northern people; called Normans; to assail France
and occupy that portion of the country which is now named Normandy。 A
part of these people came into Italy at the time when the province was
infested with the Berengarii; the Saracans; and the Huns; and occupied
some places in Romagna; where; during the wars of that period; they
conducted themselves valiantly。 Tancred; one of these Norman princes;
had many children; among the rest were William; surnamed Ferabac; and
Robert; called Guiscard。 When the principality was governed by
William; the troubles of Italy were in some measure abated; but the
Saracens still held Sicily; and plundered the coasts of Italy daily。
On this account William arranged with the princes of Capua and
Salerno; and with Melorco; a Greek; who governed Puglia and Calabria
for the Greek emperor; to attack Sicily; and it was agreed that; if
they were victorious; each should have a fourth part of the booty and
the territory。 They were fortunate in their enterprise; expelled the
Saracens; and took possession of the island; but; after the victory;
Melorco secretly caused forces to be brought from Greece; seized
Sicily in the name of the emperor; and appropriated the booty to
himself and his followers。 William was much dissatisfied with this;
but reserved the exhibition of his displeasure for a suitable
opportunity; and left Sicily with the princes of Salerno and Capua。
But when they had parted from him to return to their homes; instead of
proceeding to Romagna he led his people towards Puglia; and took
Melfi; and from thence; in a short time; recovered from the Greek
emperor almost the whole of Puglia and Calabria; over which provinces;
in the time of pope Nicholas II。 his brother Robert Guiscard was
sovereign。 Robert having had many disputes with his nephews for the
inheritance of these states; requested the influence of the pope to
settle them; which his holiness was very willing to afford; being
anxious to make a friend of Robert; to defend himself against the
emperor of Germany and the insolence of the Roman people; which indeed
shortly followed; when; at the instance of Gregory; he drove Henry
from Rome; and subdued the people。 Robert was succeeded by his sons
Roger and William; to whose dominion not only was Naples added; but
all the places interjacent as far as Rome; and afterward Sicily; of
which Roger became sovereign; but; upon William going to
Constantinople; to marry the daughter of the emperor; his dominions
were wrested from him by his brother Roger。 Inflated with so great an
acquisition; Roger first took the title of king of Italy; but
afterward contented himself with that of king of Puglia and Sicily。 He
was the first who established and gave that name to this kingdom;
which still retains its ancient boundaries; although its sovereigns
have been of many families and countries。 Upon the failure of the
Normans; it came to the Germans; after these to the French; then to
the Aragonese; and it is now held by the Flemish。
About this time Urban II。 became pope and excited the hatred of the
Romans。 As he did not think himself safe even in Italy; on account of
the disunion which prevailed; he directed his thoughts to a generous
enterprise。 With his whole clergy he went into France; and at Anvers;
having drawn together a vast multitude of people; delivered an oration
against the infidels; which so excited the minds of his audience; that
they determined to undertake the conquest of Asia from the Saracens;
which enterprise; with all those of a similar nature; were afterward
called crusades; because the people who joined in them bore upon their
armor and apparel the figure of a cross。 The leaders were Godfrey;
Eustace; and Baldwin of Bouillon; counts of Boulogne; and Peter; a
hermit celebrated for his prudence and sagacity。 Many kings and people
joined them; and contributed money; and many private persons fought
under them at their own expense; so great was the influence of
religion in those days upon the minds of men; excited by the example
of those who were its principal ministers。 The proudest successes
attended the beginning of this enterprise; for the whole of Asia
Minor; Syria; and part of Egypt; fell under the power of the
Christians。 To commemorate these events the order of the Knights of
Jerusalem was created; which still continues; and holds the island of
Rhodesthe only obstacle to the power of the Mohammedans。 The same
events gave rise to the order of the Knights Templars; which; after a
short time; on account of their shameless practices; was dissolved。
Various fortunes attended the crusaders in the course of their
enterprises; and many nations and individuals became celebrated
accordingly。 The kings of France and England joined them; and; with
the Venetians; Pisans; and Genoese; acquired great reputation; till
the time of Saladin; when; by whose talents; and the disagreement of
the Christians among themselves; the crusaders were robbed of all that
glory which they had at first acquired; and; after ninety years; were
driven from those places which they had so honorably and happily
recovered。
After the death of Urban; Pascal II。 became pope; and the empire was
under the dominion of Henry IV。 who came to Rome pretending friendship
for the pontiff but afterward put his holiness and all his clergy in
prison; n