ome and
enthroned Paschal III as pope. His triumph however, was
shortened by a pestilence which decimated his troops, and
thence began a series of reverses which ended in the
ascendency of the Lombard League.

No sooner had Frederick passed through North Italy on the way to his
triumph and ultimate humiliation in Rome than the formation was begun
of that greater Lombard League which was to prove so terrible and
invincible an enemy. Cremona was, according to the Emperor's own
account, the prime mover in the matter. Mantua, Bergamo, and Brescia
joined with that city, and bound themselves to mutual protection. The
league, which was to last for fifty years, was not openly hostile to
the Emperor; fidelity to him, indeed, was one of the articles of its
constitution. But only such duties and services were to be performed
as had been customary in the time of Conrad III; so the cities
practically renounced the Roncaglian decrees and declared themselves
in revolt.

From the beginning, too, the league took sides with Alexander. But its
most daring act of insubordination was the leading back in triumph of
the Milanese to the scene of their former glory. The outer walls of
Milan had not been entirely levelled to the ground, and the city arose
as if by magic from her ruins. Bergamo, Brescia, and Cremona lent her
efficient aid in the work of restoration.

A sculpture executed in 1171 by order of the consuls, and showing the
return, accompanied by their allies, of the exiles, is still to be
seen in Milan, near the Porta Romana. How few of those who look on it
to-day realize what that return meant to the long-suffering citizens,
and what premonitions of evil to come must have gone with them.

The Lombard League spread rapidly. Lodi, after much demur and after
being surrounded by an army, was forced to join it. Piacenza needed no
constraint, and Parma yielded after some opposition. Including Milan
there were soon eight cities in the confederation. The imperial
officials were disavowed and the old consular rule reestablished,
while everywhere Alexandrine bishops replaced those that had been
invested by Victor and Paschal.

Returning almost in disgrace from Rome, Frederick took up the struggle
against the revolted cities, sending an appeal for reinforcements to
Germany. But an attack on Milan proved fruitless, as did also one on
Piacenza, and the Emperor was soon forced to intrench himself in
Pavia. His position