Peace of Constance

Italy [1183]

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June 17, 2026

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The Peace of Constance was a treaty signed in 1183 between Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa and the Lombard League, a coalition of cities in northern Italy. The league had resisted imperial attempts to reduce the autonomy of the communes. Frederick I suffered military setbacks, notably at the Battle of Legnano in 1176. The Peace of Constance formally recognized the liberties and jurisdiction of the Lombard cities, though they retained their fealty to the emperor. This agreement was a significant victory for the communes, solidifying their self-governance against imperial authority.1

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Italy
Northern Italy
…truce of Venice into the Peace of Constance, in which he renounced the regalia claimed at Roncaglia but preserved the administrative rights of the crown. From defeat he thus managed to salvage a considerable portion of his imperial power.
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…truce of Venice into the Peace of Constance, in which he renounced the regalia claimed at Roncaglia but preserved the administrative rights of the crown. From defeat he thus managed to salvage a considerable portion of his imperial power.
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Lombard League
…truce (1177–83), agreed to the Peace of Constance, by which he retained the fealty of the Lombard cities but granted them communal liberties and jurisdiction.
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…truce (1177–83), agreed to the Peace of Constance, by which he retained the fealty of the Lombard cities but granted them communal liberties and jurisdiction.
Read More