Constance, Peace of 1183

a treaty concluded between the emperor Frederick I Barbarossa and the Lombard League in Constance, Germany, on June 25.

The emperor recognized the Lombard League and the right of the Italian cities belonging to it to exercise self-government in administrative, financial, and military affairs, by renouncing his power to appoint officials in these cities. He also acknowledged the cities’ right to build fortifications. In return, the Lombard cities were obliged, in the event that the emperor returned to Italy on a military campaign, to provide him with auxiliary troops and to maintain his court for a limited period. In effect the treaty restored and confirmed the autonomy of the Lombard cities.