INNOCENT 111., CARDINAL LOTIIARIII8, eon of TralSiMUDd, count of Segni and of Claricia, of a noble family of Rome, was unanimously ' elected in 1193, after the death of Celestine III. He ascended the papal throne at the vigorous age of thirtssscven, possessed of very great abilities, indefatigable industry, and a firm resolve to raise the papal power, both temporal and spiritual, above all the churches, principalities, and powers of the earth ; and he very nearly accom plished his purpose during the eighteen years of his pontificate. He had distinguished himself while at the universities of Paris and Bologna in the studies of philosophy, theology, mid the canon law, and also by several written composition; especially by his treatise 'De 3liseria Couditionis Humanse: The gloomy ascetic views which he took in this work of the world and of human nature show a mind filled with contempt for all worldly motives of action, and not likely to be restrained in forwarding what he considered to be his paramount duty by any of the common feelings of leniency, conciliation, or con which to a man in his situation must have appeared sinful weaknesses. His ambition and haughtiness were evidently not per he was in this respect more disinterested thou his prototype, Gregory VIL His interest was totally merged in what he considered the sacred right of his eee, 'universal supremacy,' and the sincerity of his conviction is shown by the steady uncompromising tenor of his conduct, and Ly a like nniformity of sentiments and tone throughout his writings, and especially his numerous letters. ('Innocentii ]IL, Opera,' and his ' Epistles' and 'Decretals,' published separately by Baluze, in 2 vols. fol., Paris, 1632, with a fairly written biography of Innocent by an anonymous contemporary.) External circumstances favoured Innocent's views. The Emperor Henry VI., king of Italy, and also of Sicily, had lately died, and rival candidates were disputing for the crown of Germany ; whilst Conatanco of Sicily, Henry's widow, was left regent of Sicily and Apulia in the name of her infant son Frederick II. Innocent, assert ing his claim of euzerainety over the kingdom of Sicily, confirmed the regency to Constance, but at the same time obtained from her a surrender of all disputed points concerning the pontifical pretensions over those fine territories. Constance dying shortly after, Innocent
himself assumed the regency during Frederick's minority.
At Rome, availing himself of the vacancy of the imperial throne, he bestowed the investiture on the prefect of Rome, whom he made to swear allegiance to himself, thus putting an end to the former though often eluded claim of the imperial authority over that city. In like manner, being favoured by the people, ever jealoue of the dominion of foreigners, he drove away the imperial feudatories, such as Conrad duke of Spoleti and count of Aesisi, and ltlarcnaldus marquis of Ancona, and took possession of those provinces in the name of the Roman see. He likewise claimed the exerelmite of Ravenna ; but the archbishop of that city asserted his own prior rights, and Innocent, says the anonymous biographer, "prudently deferred the gnforeemeut of his claims to a more fitting opportunity." The towns of Tuscany, with the exception of Pies., threw off their allegiance to the empire, and formed a league with Innocent for their mutual support. It was on this occasion that Innocent wrote that famous letter, in which Le asserts that "as God created two lumi naries, one superior for the day, and the other inferior for the night, which last owes its splendour entirely to the first, so he has disposed that the regal dignity should be but a reflection of the splendour of the papal authority, and entirely subordinate to it." In Germany, Innocent, acting as supreme arbitrator between the rival aspirants to the imperial crown, decided at first in favour of Otho, a Wolf, on condition of his giving up to the Roman see the disputed succession of the Couutess Mathilda ; but some time after he agreed to an arrangement between Otho and his rival Philip, whom lie acknowledged as emperor. Philip being murdered in 1203, Otho resumed his claims, and was crowned by the pope at Rome ; but Navin displeased innocent in the business of the Countess Mathilda's succeesiou, the pope quarrelled with him; and ()the having invaded part of Apulia and of the papal territory, Innocent excommunicated and deposed him, and proposed to the electors in his place his own ward Iroderick of Sicily, who repaired to Germany, and after a gallant struggle obtained the crown shortly before the death of his late guardian the pope.