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Revival of the Lombard League

Type Event Region Europe Time 1212

After Otto IV's failed southern campaign against Sicily in 1212, his northern Italian garrisons and agents were expelled by papalist Lombard cities;…

Timeline

  1. 1210–1212Central Italy to Lombardy · ItalyOtto IV broke his oath to the pope not to invade Sicily, launching a southern campaign; facing rebellion by German garrisons and Sicilian nobles and a cut supply line, he was forced to retreat north. His imperial agents in Spoleto, Brescia, and elsewhere lost direct imperial military support.
  2. 1212Brescia · LombardyAfter Otto withdrew to Germany, Lombard papalist cities moved swiftly to expel the imperial representatives Otto had stationed in Brescia, Spoleto, and elsewhere. The Milanese party, led by Milan, again took on league-style coordinated defense, cutting off Otto's residual influence in Italy.
  3. 1212Genoa–Trent · ItalyAs Frederick II marched north from Genoa, Lombard allies provided passage and cover, helping him bypass Otto's blockade through obscure mountain routes into Germany. The cities' coordinated action continued the league-revival tradition of 1208, though at this stage it was still chiefly anti-Otto and pro-Hohenstaufen.

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