Frederick Barbarossa and Germany

1152-90

Characterized as belief in a rearguard action to curb aristocratic decentralizing tendencies, royal authority in Germany at the time of Frederick's election is seen traditionally as having declined continuously since 1077. This view is counterbalanced by conflicting evidence for maintenance and enhancement of that authority throughout the same period. At his death in 1190, Frederick had as firm a grip on Germany as any previous ruler, and had, indeed, expanded the limits of his personal rule. Nevertheless, elsewhere in Germany there was a decline in active royal intervention, often viewed as indicative of a surrender of powers to the greater nobles presaging the emergence of 'an estate of princes'.

Successful extension of his personal estates in south-western Germany was balanced by the need to court noble assistance for the Italian wars, thereby limiting opportunities to extend his political power. Forced, thus, to confirm the Welf Henry the Lion's inheritance of Bavaria and Saxony, Frederick created the duchy of Austria to counterbalance Welf power. In the jurisdictional sphere, however, Frederick made positive advances, using the German diets as platforms to stress the dependent relationship of nobleman to king, and to assert the principle that the prescription and application of law was a royal prerogative.

Frederick's success in establishing the supremacy of his jurisdiction was demonstrated by his triumph over the Welfs in 1179-80. Massive enlargement of Henry's possessions through conquest of Slav territory provided an opportunity to demonstrate co-operation between king and nobles. Frederick's concern over growing Welf power was matched by the jealousy of the nobility. Action against Henry, however, came through the collective judgement of the emperor and his great men rather than military intervention, for the duke was forfeited as a contumacious vassal. Political goodwill and future co-operation of the nobility was ensured by the redistribution of Welf land between them, strengthening royal authority and establishing Frederick's unchallenged supremacy.

R. Oram