Barbarossa; An Historical Novel of the XII Century.

by Conrad von Bolanden

  _CHAPTER VIII_.

  _THE ABBOT CONRAD_.

  The condemned man could not easily have found a more powerful advocatethan the Abbot Conrad, the friend of the great Archbishop of Salzburg,whose opposition had hitherto prevented the recognition in Germany ofthe Anti-Pope Victor. Frederic had neglected nothing to obtain theactive co-operation of the Princes of the Church, but all in vain;neither threats nor entreaties could induce Eberhard to countenance theschism. He had not even replied to the Emperor's summons to accompanyhim to Italy, in order that it might not be imagined that he would makeany compromise with heresy and error.

  Many of the bishops regulated their conduct by that of the eminentArchbishop of Salzburg, and as long as the feeble and irresolute Victorwas not universally acknowledged as Pope, the Emperor could not hopefor a complete realization of his ambitious projects. In fact, Victorwas as humbly submissive to Frederic's slightest wishes as AlexanderIII. was inflexibly opposed to them. As powerful and bold as Barbarossahimself, he disdained to play the part of lackey to the Emperor, andrefused to enthrall the liberty of the Church and make religion themere stepping-stone to a despotic prince. Such a man was dangerous tothe Emperor's projects, and every effort was made to drive Alexanderfrom the throne of St. Peter. Eberhard was the head of the Papalfaction in Germany, and as Conrad was said to possess great influencewith the Archbishop, it was most natural to suppose that Frederic wouldgladly oblige the monk whenever it was in his power to do so.

  The long expected arrival of the Abbot was promptly noised through theImperial camp, and scarcely had he returned to the jester's hospitabletent, when he found himself surrounded by the courtiers. Adelbert wasone of the foremost, and the prelate strove, by most humble excuses, toatone for his former incivility. Conrad retained his native modesty,and smiled as he witnessed the assiduity of the German nobles.

  "His Eminence the Bishop regrets that he is not to have the honor ofoffering you his hospitality," said Adelbert. "But His Majesty hasordered the most sumptuous apartment of his own tent to be prepared foryour reception, my lord Abbot. His Eminence has overwhelmed me withwell-merited reproaches for my unlucky mistake of this morning. But Icould scarcely imagine that so illustrious an Abbot would have beenthus disguised beneath a monk's cowl!"

  "Lord Adelbert, I beg that you will cease these apologies; the mistakeis of too little importance to be referred to a second time."

  "I feel deeply mortified, my lord!" continued Adelbert. "Yourcelebrated order is welcomed by all, and surely its virtuous superiorshould have been received with open arms."

  The abbot began to feel an intense disgust for this obsequiousservility, and was well satisfied when he reached the monarch's tent.At the farther side of the square, on which it stood, was planted atall flagstaff where floated the proud banner of the Emperor. On eitherside, midway between it and the tent, were two knights in completearmor, who, with drawn swords, mounted guard over the Imperial shield.This was in conformity with a traditional custom, and the duty wasshared, in turn, by every noble, spiritual and temporal, of the court.Unlike the rest of the camp, a profound silence replaced the noisybustle. Warriors in shining mail, and courtiers in rich dresses, stoodaround the pavilion; but their grave and respectful deportment showedthat they were near the presence of their sovereign.

  The Emperor and his chancellor were seated at a table, in deepconsultation. Frederic had much reason to be gratified with thealacrity shown by the majority of the German princes in obeying hissummons; but the absence of many of the bishops was a bad omen for thesuccess of his cause. Some, it is true, had sent both men and money,others merely excuses; but the Emperor could not but feel that therewas a very evident disinclination to hold converse with a schismatic.

  His numerous and well-organized army could easily have overrun andconquered all Italy, but his long cherished project, the submission ofthe spiritual power of the Church to the temporal sovereignty of theEmpire, could not, in that age, be attained by force of arms.

  He was particularly indignant against the Bavarian Episcopacy, whoseprimate, Eberhard of Salzburg, was the chief and most zealous adherentof Alexander III. A threatening message had been dispatched to theArchbishop, demanding his immediate presence; but, instead of appearingin person at the head of his men-at-arms, the primate had delegated anhumble monk as his representative to the Court.

  "In truth!" exclaimed Frederic, "I am beginning to weary of this;--theArchbishop appears to despise both threats and entreaties!--By Heavens!he shall feel my anger!"

  "Violence would be out of place here," remarked the Chancellor, dryly."Your Imperial Majesty is scarcely in a condition, at present, to breakthe cross and mitre."

  "Must we then sue humbly for the aid of this egotistical old priest?"said Frederic, bitterly. "I would have you know, my lord, that we arenot yet reduced so low as that! If the Archbishop does not offer us avalid excuse, he shall be punished by banishment."

  "Banishment!" replied the minister, with a laugh. "The sentences, whichVictor fulminates, will all turn to smoke, for the world has littlescruple in ridiculing the Anti-Pope. You may use force, but it will beat the expense of your own reputation. You know well that Eberhard isprofoundly respected by all, and his example has been the chief causeof the non-recognition of Victor's claims. The people revere him as asaint, and if you would ruin your own cause irretrievably in theestimation of the world, you have only to punish the Archbishop."

  "What then does your wisdom suggest?"

  "As neither prayers, nor threats have availed," replied the craftystatesman, "try diplomacy. Assume the mask of Organizer of the Church.Receive the Abbot Conrad with cordiality, and trust to me for therest."

  "What is your plan?"

  "To persuade Eberhard to visit your court,--the game will be in yourown hands then."

  "In my own hands! Bah! Eberhard will never break faith with Alexander!"

  "Probably not! but if he should come here, I will spread the reportthat he has acknowledged Victor. And, what is still more important, theholy man will have paid a visit to the heretic Barbarossa,--a visitwhich would never be made, were you to continue to be the avowed enemyof the Church."

  "Your reasoning is specious," said the prince; "that game may besuccessful!"

  "May be?--only may be!" replied Dassel, somewhat offended by Frederic'sincredulity. "My policy is not a _game_; it is no mere fancy of thebrain."

  "I perceive," answered Barbarossa, "that science is irritable, and heradepts petulant. We will therefore bow before your invention, which youinsist is not a mere game, but a deadly war-engine levelled againstAlexander III."

  "Eberhard's apparent defection will be your rival's death-blow, forVictor's recognition will be its natural and immediate consequence,"said the Chancellor. "And now, Sire, if you will permit me, I willsummon the Archbishop's envoy. The monarch assented, and the Countdrawing aside the silken curtains of the tent, beckoned to achamberlain. A few moments after Conrad entered."

  "Welcome, my lord Abbot," said Frederic, rising. "We are pleased withthe judicious choice thus made by our Metropolitan of Salzburg. We arealways glad to receive a counsellor whose wisdom can enlighten us inmatters of difficulty."

  Conrad bowed and handed a sealed packet to the Emperor. Frederichurriedly tore open the envelope; it only contained the Abbot's lettersof credence.

  "Be seated," said Barbarossa, pointing to a chair. "The Archbishop, Iperceive, alleges his advanced age as an excuse for his refusal to ourinvitation. We regret these obstacles--but what says he to ourrequest?"

  "He cannot send the contingent demanded by your Majesty. All his troopsare needed to defend his own territory against his ambitious neighbors.But he is prepared to offer a tribute of money!"

  "Money!--I want none of it!" said Frederic, proudly. "Loyalty andattachment are alone of value in our eyes. Our sovereign power would beweak indeed if obedience could be replaced by gold! But enough of this;we can do without the Archbisho
p's assistance; our forces are strongenough already to take the field! Tell me, though, what does he thinkof the true head of the Church? We trust that he is not one of thosewho compound with heresy?"

  "Submission to the legitimate Pope is one of the first duties of aprelate," replied Conrad. "But in the opinion of him who sent mehither, it is not Victor but Alexander who has a right to the title.The Archbishop has commissioned me to make this observation to yourMajesty."

  "There it is again!" cried Frederic, "always observations!"

  "Allow me, Sire, to lay before you the reasons which have influencedthe convictions of the Archbishop," said Conrad.--"Immediately upon thedeath of Adrian IV., the Sacred College unanimously elected Roland, nowAlexander III."

  "Unanimously?" interrupted Barbarossa. "If I recollect aright, all theCardinals were not present!"

  "True, three were absent,--but two of them were held as prisoners byyour Majesty," replied Conrad.

  "The answer is devoid of reason, my lord Abbot. Those two Cardinals hadincurred my displeasure. We merely invited them not to leave ourcourt,--but they could scarcely be called prisoners;--however,proceed!"

  "Alexander's energetic, inflexible character was known, and it wasdecided to depose him. A powerful faction elected Cardinal Octavian,and Alexander was forcibly expelled. In consequence of this, theArchbishop Eberhard, and every other prelate who is learned in thesacred canons, regard Victor's election as illegal, and look uponAlexander as the legitimate Pope."

  "This is strange!" said the Emperor, forced to blush before theAbbot's arguments. "We certainly had never considered the question inthis light.--We will have to be influenced by the Archbishop'sopinion.--Hitherto we had thought differently. Your Metropolitan shouldhave explained before the Council of Pavia, to which he was convened,the reasons which you have just advanced!--If we are in error, if wehave indorsed so far the Anti-Pope, it is your master's fault. We muchdesire an interview with the worthy prelate, and regret exceedingly,that we cannot at once profit by his experience. The more so that, hadhe so willed it, this schism might have been long since ended."

  The Abbot was dumb with surprise, but he still hesitated to give faithto the entire sincerity of the Emperor.

  "The schism grieves us much," continued Barbarossa. "The Defender ofthe Faith, more than any one else, must deplore its continuance.Hitherto we have done all in our power in order that Victor, whom wesupported, should be acknowledged by the whole Church. But what youhave just told us, as coming from the Archbishop, creates grave doubtsin our mind."

  "In any case," said Rinaldo, timidly, "it would be well if His Eminenceof Salzburg should join the Court.--His presence alone would removemany obstacles."

  "Although in feeble health, the venerable Bishop will not hesitatebefore the fatigues of the journey, if he were once assured that hisinfluence would effect the unanimous recognition of the true Pope!"added Conrad.

  "Let us hope so, at least!" replied the Emperor, and turning towardsRinaldo, he added, "You will write to this effect to the Archbishop;and, in the meantime, my dear Abbot, you are our guest."

  He rose, and bowed graciously to the prelate, as a signal that theaudience was at an end; but the Abbot, preoccupied with Bonello's case,after a moment's hesitation, began to plead in his behalf.

  "Deign to excuse me, Sire, if I venture to implore your clemency for amost unfortunate man. A Guelph knight, named Bonello, is to be hungto-day. Spare his life, Sire, and in future he will no longer mix inpolitical strife, but devote himself entirely to the education of hisonly daughter. She is almost a child, and needs a father's care; themore so that her extraordinary beauty is in itself a grave danger toone so young. If your Majesty desires to show me any favor, you willlisten to my earnest prayer."

  The Emperor reflected for a moment.

  "What you ask is impossible," said he; "the sentence must be executed!"

  "Although your Majesty cannot pardon the traitor," said Rinaldo, "youcan easily offer him to the Archbishop of Salzburg's friend. Bonello isonly a Lombard noble; it would be an original present to a Germanbishop."

  Barbarossa divined the Chancellor's meaning, but he was inflexible.

  "Not another word; the traitor must die!"

  Conrad read in the Emperor's expression the uselessness of furtherappeal, and he could only rejoice that he had been able to prolong,although but for a few short hours, the life of the condemned. He mightat least prepare him for the great journey into eternity.

  "Hasten to discharge your holy mission," said Barbarossa, "forto-morrow at daybreak Bonello shall be hanged."

  The prelate bowed, and left the tent.

  "You should let the poor devil live," said the Chancellor, in adiscontented tone.

  "The poor devil might live," replied Barbarossa, "but the rebel mustdie;" and he took his place again at the table.

  "If I aspired to the empire of the world, the blind goddess of justicewould be obliged to make more than one sacrifice on the altar ofexpediency," remarked the Count of Dassel. "The Abbot Conrad solicitedthe Guelph's pardon; Conrad is the friend of the Archbishop Eberhard,and Eberhard is the soul of the Episcopacy."

  "Must we purchase the loyalty which is ours by right, by makingconcessions and granting impunity to crime?"

  "Your Majesty's notions of justice utterly confound my poor wisdom,"said Rinaldo respectfully. "At this moment I am in an awkward dilemma.I see dangerous breakers ahead; a species of conspiracy against therealization of your gigantic enterprise, and I neither dare to show theperil nor attempt to avoid it. It is truly painful for a sincerelydevoted heart."

  "Explain your meaning," said the Emperor.

  The Chancellor rose and approached the table, his knit brows and eagereyes wearing an expression of stern determination.

  "Henry the Lion is Duke of Saxony and Bavaria," he continued. "He isthe most powerful lord of Germany. As a Guelph, his attachment toAlexander is patent; we hold the proofs at hand. To conciliate Henry bygifts of power or territory would be dangerous. Proud, haughty, andambitious, he can hope for nothing from you, and will naturally turn tothat faction which can offer him the most solid advantages. Even now,perhaps, he may be only awaiting a plausible excuse for leaving theEmperor and joining the party of Alexander III."

  The Chancellor paused for a moment, as if expecting a reply; but hereceived none.

  "Henry the Lion is allied to the wealthy and powerful Berthold ofZ[oe]hringen," continued Dassel. "In the event of a rupture,Z[oe]hringen also would be arrayed against us. Is the Emperor in a fitcondition to resist this coalition?"

  "The assertion is a bold one, my lord, and yet I must confess that yourfears are not entirely groundless," answered Barbarossa.

  "I have shown the danger to your Majesty; let me now explain how it maybe averted. The Lion espoused Clemence, a sister of the Z[oe]hringen;by her he has no male issue. Now, to a prince who seeks to perpetuatethe glories of his race, there can be no condition more painful thanthis, and it is even said to have caused more than one curious familydiscussion. Should the Duke repudiate Clemence, your cause would begained; for by the very fact of the divorce he would be obliged tobreak with Z[oe]hringen and Alexander, and become your partisan."

  Frederic shook his head, as he replied,--

  "This master-stroke of policy is not without its merit, but is theproceeding honest or honorable?"

  "Ah!" cried Dassel, "I felt sure that the Emperor's love of justicewould prove the only real obstacle to the success of the house ofHohenstauffen. Ah, well!" he continued ironically, "we shall at leastbe martyrs to the cause of justice."

  The Emperor was silent; Rinaldo had wounded his conscientious scruples,but the Chancellor spread out before him a parchment, and lookedsteadily upon his sovereign, as he prepared to employ this lastterrible weapon.

  "Henry the Lion is ambitious," said Barbarossa; "his strength and hisalliances make him really dangerous. But, your plan is a good one, ifit were feasible!"

  "And why not, Sire? If the Emperor c
ould divorce himself, what canprevent the Duke? If I mistake not, you did not ask permission of thePontiff when, upon the pretext of consanguinity, you repudiatedAdelaide and married Beatrice. Think you that the Pope Victor willhesitate to annul the Duke's marriage, if the Emperor so orders it?"

  "Measure your words, my lord Chancellor! If I still hesitate, it isbecause of the crying injustice of which poor Clemence would be thevictim. She is a noble woman!"

  "Doubtless, and I pity her sincerely; but are the tears of a woman tobaffle your projects for glory and dominion?"

  This remark terminated the discussion. The proud aspirations ofBarbarossa for universal Empire smothered every other feeling. He lovedpower and fame, and to them he sacrificed every other sentiment.

  "But the Duke's assent to our projects is by no means certain," saidhe, less to discuss the subject than as & mark of his discontent.

  "I will take care of that," said the Chancellor; "the Lion must bespeedily influenced to an open rupture!"