Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire born in Waiblingen, Germany, under whose rule the empire experienced a moment of splendour. He inherited the duchy of Swabia (1147) and on the death of his uncle Conrad III he was elected emperor (1152). At the request of Pope Hadrian IV, he went to Italy for the purpose of freeing Rome from the power of Arnold of Brescia. After capturing Arnold he was proclaimed emperor by the pope (1155).
In order to establish Germanic rule in western Europe, he invaded and conquered Milan, and, defying papal authority, summoned the Diet of Roncaglia, to define and consolidate imperial authority in Lombardy, thus imposing his authority over the papacy and ensuring German influence in Europe western. These campaigns in Italy and his measures of government came to be opposed by the popes and the Italian cities he tried to subdue.
So he supported the appointment of an antipope (1159), Victor IV, in opposition to the legitimate pope, Alexander III, and three years later destroyed Milan. Between the cities of the papacy, the Lombard League and the Verona League were formed, with the purpose of defending themselves against the emperor. Defeated at Legnano (1176), he was forced to recognize the legitimacy of Pope Alexander III and sign the peace of Venice. The sovereign then tried to consolidate his authority within Germany, with the support of the clergy and nobility, against the growing power of the princes of his empire. He died in Armenia while participating in the third crusade.
Source: http://www.dec.ufcg.edu.br/biografias/
Order F - Biography - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/biografia/frederico-i-barba-roxa.htm
