Frederick I Barbarossa

Frederick I convened a diet at Roncaglia in northern Italy. He proclaimed the Regalian Rights, asserting imperial authority over Italian cities. The diet declared that all public authority derived from the emperor, leading to conflict with the Lombard League.

Frederick I Barbarossa was defeated by the Lombard League at Legnano in northern Italy. The League's infantry used a carroccio (war wagon) as a rallying point. This defeat forced Frederick to recognize the autonomy of Italian communes in the Peace of Venice.

Frederick I signed a treaty with Pope Alexander III and the Lombard League in Venice. He recognized Alexander III as pope and agreed to a six-year truce with the Italian communes. The peace ended the schism in the Church and temporarily halted imperial campaigns in Italy.

Frederick I drowned in the Saleph River in Cilicia while leading the Third Crusade. His death caused the German contingent to largely return home, weakening the crusade. He was buried in Antioch, and his body later moved to Tyre.