c. 1123-1190. Holy Roman emperor from 1152.
Originally duke of Swabia, he was elected
emperor 1152, and was engaged in a struggle
with Pope Alexander III 1159- -77, which
ended in his submission; the Lombard cities,
headed by Milan, took advantage of this to
establish their independence of imperial
control. Frederick joined the Third Crusade,
and was drowned in Anatolia.