The Popes And the Hohenstaufen

the cities and territories of Venetia, Lombardy, and Piedmont were in a confederation against the Einpsror, against those cities like Pavia which still sided with him, and against the feudal lords. Having tried their strength in some engagements, such as the taking of the castle of Biandrate, the cities of the league determined, as a greater safeguard against any future invading army, to build a strong city on the spot where the waters of the Tanaro and Bormida unite, in such a position as to guard almost every entrance into Lombardy. This city rose with astonishing rapidity, and many flocked to it, so that in a short time it numbered i 5,ooo inhabitants. The aim of its foundation was sufficiently marked by the name of Alessandria, which it received in honour" ofAlexander III. This Pope never ceased to encourage the confederates, assisted by the Lombard clergy, who were headed by Galdinus, the archbishop of Milan, a sworn enemy of the Emperor and the antipope. Thus while the League grew stronger, everything else in Italy was also going against the Empire. Pisa and Genoa, always suspicious of each other, and often in open conflict, attended far more to their own than to the imperial interests. Nay, Genoa, without actually joining the League, regarded it with favour, and even helped it with money, while both the republics, each on its own account, had entered into friendly negotiations with the King of Sicily, although as yet without result. William II., for his p...