Editing Sixth Crusade (section)

=== Frederick's excommunication ===
Frederick II sent his emissaries to inform Gregory IX of the situation. These included [[Rainald of Urslingen|Rainald of Spoleto]], Nicolò dei Maltraversi, [[Lando (archbishop of Messina)|Lando of Anagni]], the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Reggio Calabria-Bova|archbishop of Reggio]], and [[Marino Filangieri]], the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto#Archbishops|archbishop of Bari]], but the pope refused to meet with them, and would not listen to Frederick's side of the story. Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor, was excommunicated on 29 September 1227.{{sfn|Van Cleve|1969|pp=446–447|loc=The excommunication of Frederick II}}

The pope did not know, or care, about Frederick's illness, just that he had not lived up to his agreement. His letter to the emperor of 10 October 1227 laying out conditions for his rehabilitation referred less to the crusade than to infractions in Sicily. In his circular letter announcing the excommunication, Frederick was branded a wanton violator of his sacred oath taken many times, at Aachen, Veroli, Ferentino, and San Germano, and was held responsible for the deaths of Crusaders at Brindisi. He was accused of feigning his illness, relaxing at [[Pozzuoli]], rather than in the Holy Land. Frederick's response was more factual, and included an appeal for more to take the cross.{{sfn|Van Cleve|1969|p=447|loc=Footnote 64; cf. Huillard-Bréholles, Vol. III}}

In November 1227, the sultan's emissary [[Fakhr ad-Din ibn as-Shaikh]] was again sent to meet with the emperor. It is here that it is believed the Fakhr ad-Din was knighted by Frederick, as described by [[Jean de Joinville]], chronicler of the Seventh Crusade.''<ref>Villehardouin, G. de., Joinville, J. (1955–1908). [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/007045016/Home Memoirs of the Crusades]. London: J.M. Dent. p. 184 (known as Scecedin)</ref>'' The negotiations were conducted in secret, causing concern among the German Crusaders. Even the amiable poet [[Freidank]], positively disposed towards the emperor, expressed his sorrow.{{sfn|Van Cleve|1969|pp=453–454|loc=Negotiations}} Shortly after Fakhr ad-Din had departed, the emperor's negotiator [[Thomas I of Aquino|Thomas of Aquino]] sent word that al-Mu'azzam had suddenly died on 12 November 1227. This revelation changed the balance of power, and Frederick dispatched [[Richard Filangieri]], marshal of the Kingdom of Sicily, to Syria with 500 knights to augment to force already there as he prepared for a departure in the spring of 1228.{{sfn|Runciman|1954|p=183|loc=Frederick at Acre (1228)}}