Germany

Destruction of Vipers

The popes of the middle 13^th century were determined to destroy Frederick of Hohenstaufen. Because all his claims were legitimate, his heirs could make the same claims, so the popes perforce were determined to destroy the entire family. Pope Gregory IX referred to them as a "nest of vipers."

By spending vast amounts of money, by calling on the help of the French, and by actually preaching crusades against the Hohenstaufen, the popes eventually succeeded. Frederick died in 1250, seemingly still holding his own. But his son Conrad was killed in battle a few years later. His illegitimate son Manfred then tried to seize power, nearly succeeded, but also fell in battle. Frederick's grandson, often called Conradin, was captured and murdered in 1264, and with him the "nest of vipers" was exterminated.

The popes had won. The Church was saved. But what would now happen to the Empire?