Frederick II and the Sixth Crusade

Aachen Cathedral played a pivotal role in the political and religious narrative of Frederick II's Sixth Crusade. The study reveals that Frederick II's commitment to the crusade was not merely driven by religious fervor but also by strategic statesmanship, challenging traditional views on papal influence over crusading movements. His coronation in Aachen in 1215 marked a significant moment where he exhorted his followers to join the crusade, despite lacking papal approval. This act underscored his independent leadership style and his disregard for papal control. The research examines Frederick's delayed departure due to political concerns, his interactions with popes Innocent III and Honorius III, and the eventual loss of Damietta in 1221, which led to an eight-year truce. Additionally, it highlights the troubadour Peirol's pilgrimage to Jerusalem, providing a unique literary perspective on the crusade's aftermath.

(Ed.). (2018). Frederick II and the Sixth Crusade. Singing the Crusades, 136–153. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781787442092.010