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Frederick II's coronation as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire included a promise to the Church to lead a crusade to the Holy Land. However, his interests in the Kingdom of Sicily were more at heart, and he postponed the start of the enterprise several times. Growing tensions over his failure to embark on his crusade led to the emperor’s excommunication by Pope Gregory IX, who went so far as to call him "the Antichrist." Nevertheless, in 1228, Frederick II left on the Sixth Crusade. Contrary to expectations, this was resolved diplomatically and without bloodshed: Frederick obtained guardianship of Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Jerusalem. However, this peaceful solution incurred the wrath of the pope. The Emperor accomplished his venture through long and difficult negotiations with the Sultan of Egypt, Malik al-Kamil; for ten years, Jerusalem came under Christian administration, and during this period, a specific agreement allowed Muslims access to worship sites. What were the arguments in support of this "victory"?
Frederick was known for his policies favorable to the integration of the Muslim community in the Kingdom of Sicily. In addition, he acquired the title of King of Jerusalem by marrying Jolande of Brienne, heir to the city's throne, thus demonstrating his commitment to peaceful coexistence and the bridging of different faiths in his kingdom.
