The twenty-five essays in this volume - four of which are published here for the first time - represent the work of a great scholar in Mediterranean history. In an age often called that of papal monarchy and secular-minded rulers, Powell found popes with complex agendas and extensive pastoral concerns, a rather more Christian Frederick II, the huma

James M. Powell (1930 - 2011) was Professor of History Emeritus at Syracuse University, USA. A previous collection of his articles appeared in the Variorum series in 2007: The Crusades, The Kingdom of Sicily, and the Mediterranean.