Lombardy League
The Lombardy League is a collection of city states in northwestern Itally which have banned together on several occasions to resist the rule of the Holy Roman Emperors which had established rule over Italy in 1158, the Lombardy League first formed in 1167 and has established partial independence since 1193 when the Peace of Constance allowed the city states to swear fealty to the Holy Roman Emperor, but were allowed their own local rule. The ceased fulfilling their obligations in 1197 at the death of Emperor Henry VI. This has been unchallenged since then, but conflict is on the horizon as Fredrick II was elected King of the Romans in 1212 and swore to go on crusade, for which he will be depending on the fealty of the city states of the Lombardy League to supply money and troops. In the past the pope has supported the League as a check against the power of the Holy Roman Emperor, but it appears at this time he will support Fredrick II attempts to raise troops for crusading.