1245: Matthaeus Parisiensis on the Defense of Frederick II at the Council of Lyon

Abstract

The Council of Lyon in 1245 can be considered the climax of the conflict between the papacy and the Staufen Emperor Frederick II. During this meeting, Pope Innocent IV, acting as both plaintiff and judge, worked for the deposition of his opponent by accusing him, among numerous other offences, of overly friendly relations with Muslims. Based on this accusation, the article analyses Frederick’s dealings with his Muslim subjects as well as his diplomatic contacts with the Islamic sphere. By way of comparison, the relations between the papal curia and Muslim rulers are also analysed so as to allow for a better contextualisation of Innocent IV's accusations.