DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.63447#0381
TRIUMPH OF THE TIARA.
365
her face, she gracefully took off hood and veil, and rode
through the city with her head uncovered, in order to
enable all classes of women to satisfy fully their curiosity ;
by which act she gained all hearts.1
Isabel met the Emperor at Worms on the 15th of
July; the marriage ceremonies were performed in pre-
sence of four kings, eleven dukes, thirty counts or mar-
quises, many great prelates, and a crowd of notabilities.
But a singular trait of the manners of the age must not
be omitted: the stars were also consulted before the
wedding, and auguries were pronounced in favour of the
day and hour; the promise of a son was also given by
the stars.
It is pleasing to read, as a proof of the improved
refinement of taste in the festivities, which lasted four
days, that buffoons and mimics were not admitted before
the bridal couple; the amusements consisted chiefly of
poetry and music, Trouveres and Minnesingers contended
for rich prizes, and all wore an aspect of the most perfect
joy. After which the English train of Isabel returned to
their own country with rich gifts; amongst which were
three leopards and other Oriental curiosities.
The subsequent Diet of Mayence was held with the
same infinite splendour. A grand Court of the Empire
was summoned. Frederick I. had held also another
grand Court after the Peace of Constance, with extra-
ordinary pomp. His son Henry, on that occasion, had
been knighted and crowned King of the Bomans. Now,
instead, in the Court held by Frederick II., the formal
deposition of his son Henry was made known to the
nobles and prelates, and ratified, unopposed, by them.
At this grand Court, Frederick made friends with Otho
of Brunswick and the Guelph faction of Germany ; he
ceded in feud to Otho the domains of Brunswick, Lune-
burg, and other allodial territories belonging to the
Guelphs, over which he was to reign, under the title of
Hereditary Duke ; the title to remain in his family, and
to be inherited by females, as well as males. Tithes were
1 De Oherrier, Vol. ii., p. 130. Matt. Paris, p. 284.
365
her face, she gracefully took off hood and veil, and rode
through the city with her head uncovered, in order to
enable all classes of women to satisfy fully their curiosity ;
by which act she gained all hearts.1
Isabel met the Emperor at Worms on the 15th of
July; the marriage ceremonies were performed in pre-
sence of four kings, eleven dukes, thirty counts or mar-
quises, many great prelates, and a crowd of notabilities.
But a singular trait of the manners of the age must not
be omitted: the stars were also consulted before the
wedding, and auguries were pronounced in favour of the
day and hour; the promise of a son was also given by
the stars.
It is pleasing to read, as a proof of the improved
refinement of taste in the festivities, which lasted four
days, that buffoons and mimics were not admitted before
the bridal couple; the amusements consisted chiefly of
poetry and music, Trouveres and Minnesingers contended
for rich prizes, and all wore an aspect of the most perfect
joy. After which the English train of Isabel returned to
their own country with rich gifts; amongst which were
three leopards and other Oriental curiosities.
The subsequent Diet of Mayence was held with the
same infinite splendour. A grand Court of the Empire
was summoned. Frederick I. had held also another
grand Court after the Peace of Constance, with extra-
ordinary pomp. His son Henry, on that occasion, had
been knighted and crowned King of the Bomans. Now,
instead, in the Court held by Frederick II., the formal
deposition of his son Henry was made known to the
nobles and prelates, and ratified, unopposed, by them.
At this grand Court, Frederick made friends with Otho
of Brunswick and the Guelph faction of Germany ; he
ceded in feud to Otho the domains of Brunswick, Lune-
burg, and other allodial territories belonging to the
Guelphs, over which he was to reign, under the title of
Hereditary Duke ; the title to remain in his family, and
to be inherited by females, as well as males. Tithes were
1 De Oherrier, Vol. ii., p. 130. Matt. Paris, p. 284.