CHAP. I.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

121

way. Frederick II. was a very remarkable person-age. That he spoke jestingly of his religion, ratherin reference to their disbelief, than to himself, maybe in bad taste, and exaggerated, but was no crime,nor argues scepticism. 1

My introduction of this piece a little before itsdate is knowingly, because written in 1236; it re-fers to all that had preceded, and shows that afterhis conduct in Palestine, the Hospitallers are com-manded to obey him, which is a complete refu-tation. His Holiness would have then been inmanifest contradiction with himself. If he hadcomplained even, we should find it in these secretarchives. Behold, they are turned inside out.We thought to discover great things, and what dowe discover? Nothing. Without a command inclear writing, who would have dared to insult Fre-derick? It would be to suppose something ex-travagantly bold; as foolish, as enormous, quiteincredible. Married to the daughter of John deBrienne, who had abdicated in his favour, it wasjure uxoris that Frederick inherited the title ofKing of Jerusalem, and his appearing there, con-verted the titular into a kind of reality; and that,and the peace, form a not dishonourable close to thefifth crusade. Of which if I have spoken at some

1 Appendix, xci.