[264] At Rupert's death, under whom the mischief had increased greatly, there were, we are told, many bishops better off than the Emperor.
[265] 'Proventus Imperii ita minimi sunt ut legationibus vix suppetant.'—Quoted by Moser.
[266] Albert I tried in vain to wrest the tolls of the Rhine from the grasp of the Rhenish electors.
[267] The Æthelings of the line of Cerdic, among the West Saxons, and the Bavarian Agilolfings, may thus be compared with the Achæmenids of Persia or the heroic houses of early Greece.
[268] Wippo, describing the election of Conrad the Franconian, says, 'Inter confinia Moguntiæ et Wormatiæ convenerunt cuncti primates et, ut ita dicam, vires et viscera regni.' So Bruno says that Henry IV was elected by the 'populus.' So Gunther Ligurinus of Frederick I's election:—
'Acturi sacræ de successione coronæ
Conveniunt proceres, totius viscera regni.'
So Amandus, secretary of Frederick Barbarossa, in describing his election, says, 'Multi illustres heroes ex Lombardia, Tuscia, Ianuensi et aliis Italiæ dominiis, ac maior et potior pars principum ex Transalpino regno.'—Quoted by Mur. Antiq. Diss. iii. And see many other authorities to the same effect, collected by Pfeffinger, Vitriarius illustratus.
[269] Alciatus, De Formula Romani Imperii. He adds that the Gauls and Italians were incensed at the preference shewn to Germany. So too Radulfus de Columna.
[270] Quoted by Gewoldus, De Septemviratu Sacri Imperii Romani, himself a violent advocate of Gregory's decree, though living as late as the days of Ferdinand II. As late as A.D. 1648 we find Pope Innocent X maintaining that the sacred number Seven of the electors was 'apostolica auctoritate olim præfinitus.' Bull Zelo domus in Bullar. Rom.