Lombard League

An alliance of north Italian communes formed against Frederick Barbarossa's attempt to enforce imperial rights over them, and backed by the papacy. Its victory at Legnano in 1176 and the Peace of Constance in 1183 secured the cities' self-government within a nominal imperial overlordship.

• Existed: 1167 CE – 1250 CE
• Type: Confederation
• Government: civic confederation
• Capital: Milan