Chapter XXIII

INFLUENCE OF THE MOORS ON EUROPE THROUGH THE EMPIRE OF
FREDERICK II. AND THE STATES OF SOUTHERN FRANCE

PAGE

Permanence of Arab Ideas in the South of Europe--Social
Corruption--Revolts against the Papacy--Antagonism
of the Holy See and the German Empire--Consolidation
of the Papal Power under Innocent III.--Civilizing
Agencies in Sicily--Influence of the Normans
as Heirs of the Arabs--Birth of Frederick II.--Character
of Innocent III.--Genius of the Emperor--His
Reforms--System of Jurisprudence--Commerce--Legislation--The
University of Naples--The Medical
School of Salerno--Character of Frederick--His
Court--The South of France--Its Early Civilization--Cosmopolitan
Character of its Population--Its
Wealth, Intelligence, and Profligacy--Debased Condition
of the Clergy--The University of Montpellier--The
Troubadours--The Albigenses--Their Defiance
of Rome--A Crusade is preached against Them--They
are annihilated--Cruelty of the Crusaders--Parallel
between the Civilization of Sicily and Languedoc--Survival
of the Philosophical Principles and Opinions
of the Thirteenth Century 1