Note 28 — Chapter XVI · FREDERICK II. AND THE PAPACY[28] (1216–1250)

Huillard-Bréholles’ Historia Diplomatica Friderici Secundi contains a magnificent collection of Frederick’s acts, and a whole volume of introduction, which is the best general commentary on his reign. The same writer’s Pierre de la Vigne should also be studied. T. L. Kington’s History of Frederick II. (2 vols.) is a sound and elaborate English version of the Emperor’s career. For Frederick’s religious ideas, see also Gebhart’s L’Italie Mystique. There is a good essay on Frederick II. in Freeman’s Historical Essays, First Series. Freeman’s over-emphasis of the continuity of imperial tradition may be usefully contrasted with the view held by Mr. E. Jenks, in his interesting Law and Politics in the Middle Ages, ‘that the Frank Empire in both its stages was a sham Empire.’ The magnificent editions of the registers of the thirteenth century Popes, now being published, mainly by the French school at Rome, will afford a solid basis for the detailed history of the Papacy.