Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor

Frederick II, of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, ruled as King of Sicily from 1198, King of Germany from 1212, Holy Roman Emperor from 1220, and King of Jerusalem from 1225. Born to Emperor Henry VI and Queen Constance of Sicily, he presided over territories stretching from Sicily to Germany, acquiring Jerusalem during the Crusades. His rule was marked by frequent conflicts with the Papacy, leading to multiple excommunications and his vilification in pro-papal chronicles. An intellectual, he was fluent in six languages and was an avid patron of the arts and sciences, significantly influencing literature and the Italian language.

Despite his achievements, Frederick’s lineage did not survive past his death, resulting in the Hohenstaufen dynasty’s end and the Holy Roman Empire’s decline. His political and cultural legacy continues to be debated. Born in Jesi, Italy, Frederick was baptized in Assisi and raised in Sicily. He was named Constantine at birth but was later baptized Frederick Roger at the age of two, emphasizing his Norman and imperial heritage. Rumors and gossip surrounded his birth, including a prophecy of Merlin, but such stories have been deemed invalid.