Hello and welcome to the history of the Germans, Episode 88 O'Rote to Peace.

This week, our story kicks off with the death of Pope Gregory 9th, non-egenerian impeccable

foe of Emperor Frederick II.

Peace might be in the air.

Of the eleven cardinals getting together in the dilapidated Septitoneum, once built by

Emperor Septimus Severus, half wanted a more conciliatory vicar of Christ, for the other

half did naught.

The very first Papal Conclave followed as the Senator Mateo Orsini locks the Cardinals

up in horrible conditions.

When finally one of them is chosen, he died just 17 days later from the exertions.

By now all the Cardinals have fled and the Church remains without a head for almost two years.

At the same time the descendants

of Genghis Khan descend upon Europe, Jerusalem falls through the Turks, the Latin Empire

of Constantinople is on its last leg. Is it time for the Emperor and the Pope to bury the

hatchet and face the real enemies of Christendom? Now, before we start, just a reminder.

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The last week we left Frederick II and Pope Gregory 9th,

hurling the wildest accusations at each other.

...