Page 104 - Lanzarotto Malocello from Italy to the Canary Islands

104 from Italy to the Canary Islands

the imminent crusade, there was Arabian Baghla.
also a strong uptake in business
for Genoa, but, once again, as had
already happened during the war
against the emperor, it was the ar-
istocracy that got rich.
In 1251, on his way from Lyon,
Innocent IV called in at Genoa.
He was praised as a winner in the
city where he was born. He wanted
those exiled to return and for peace
to reign again among the factions.
The Pope also allowed the return
of all those who, more or less open-
ly, lined up on the imperial side.
Therefore, the faction known as
that of the “Mascherati”, i.e. those
who had worked silently within
the Institutions in favour of Fred-
erick II, could reclaim possession
of their property. There was there-
fore no punishment or revenge of
any kind and the admirals of the
imperial fleet, Ansaldo and Andreolo de Mari II, were also welcomed.
This chance to recover that faction allowed the aristocracy to be re-
balanced in a certain sense; and it was necessary to halt on the one side
the emerging bourgeoisie class, which was in any case reclaiming its own
space, and on the other side to stop the birth of that “swarming people”
which sometimes really appeared to be self-aware. This people was re-
garded with suspect, as it could have asserted itself and therefore taken
revenge; and at a later time it could also have revealed itself as the new
reality after the fall of the Emperor and the phase which would then begin.
With political insight and shrewd diplomatic moves, Pope Innocent IV
was even able to take back those cities which had openly drawn up with
the Emperor, and therefore all the West, with Savona, Alberga, Ventimi-
glia. In the East, the important stronghold of Lerici was taken back from
the Pisans, meaning that Genoa could once more watch over every part of
its gulf untroubled.