By the Emperor's influence feud after feud was settled, and the
princes were induced to acknowledge his second son--why not his eldest
has never been explained--as successor to the throne. The internal
prosperity and concord were not without their influence on the
neighboring powers, and Hungary, Bohemia, and Poland were forced to
acknowledge and fulfil their feudal duties.

Meanwhile Tuscany and a part of the Romagna had remained true to the
empire. Frederick's emissary, Christian of Mayence, who was sent to
Italy in 1171, was able to play a leading _rôle_ in the hostilities
between Pisa and Genoa, and, in 1173, to again besiege Ancona, which
was still a centre for Greek intrigues. Christian was able to assure
the Emperor that some allies at least were left in Italy.

In one way time had worked a favorable change. So long as an immediate
attack was to be feared the Lombard cities--between thirty and forty
of which, including such towns as Venice, Bologna, and Pavia, had
finally joined the League--were firmly united and ready to make any
effort. But as the years went on and the danger became less pressing,
internal discord crept in among them. Venice, for instance, helped
Christian of Mayence in besieging Ancona; and Pavia, true to its old
imperial policy, was only waiting for an opportunity for deserting its
latest allies. The league feared, too, that Alexander might leave it
to its fate and make an independent peace with the Emperor.

As a matter of fact, in 1170, strong efforts had been made to bring
about such a consummation. But Frederick was bound by the Wuerzburg
decrees, and his envoy could not offer the submission that Alexander
required.