The death of Frederick II's son in 1254 A.D. ended the
Hohenstaufen dynasty. There now ensued what is called the Interregnum, a period
of nineteen years, during which Germany was without a ruler. At length the pope
sent word to the German electors that if they did not choose an emperor, he
would himself do so. The electors then chose Rudolf of Hapsburg [39] (1273
A.D.). Rudolf gained papal support by resigning all claims on Italy, but
recompensed himself through the conquest of Austria. Ever since this time
the Hapsburg dynasty has filled the Austrian throne.
[39] Hapsburg as the name of a castle in northern
Switzerland.
OUTCOME OF THE CONFLICT
The conflict between popes and emperors was now ended. Its
results were momentous. Germany, so long neglected by its rightful rulers, who
pursued the will-o'-the-wisp in Italy, broke up into a mass of duchies,
counties, archbishoprics, and free cities. The map of the country at this time
shows how numerous were these small feudal states. They did not combine into a
strong government till the nineteenth century. Italy likewise remained
disunited and lacked even a common monarch. The real victor was the Papacy,
which had crushed the Empire and had prevented the union of Italy and Germany.
