A.I). 1199.] OTIIO Γ.ΜΓΚΙΙΟΒ OF ROME. that monarch in gaining possession of Normandy in opposition to king Stephen, lie moreover demanded for Arthur the countries of Poictou, Anjou, Maine, 'l'ours, and Normandy, and many other things, which John would not and ought not to grant ; and so, breaking off the interview, they departed mutually at variance. The king of the French being asked by his nobles why he was so inimicali}' disposed towards king John, who had never done him an injurv, replied that the latter had seized on Normandy ami the above-named other countries without bis permission, whereas he ought, at king Richard's death, in the first place to have come to him, and done homage to him for his right. The king of the French thus departed ; but William de Rupibus, a nobleman, cunningly took Arthur away from the care of the French king, and made peace between him and the king of England, at the same time giving up to the latter the city of Mans, which the French king had entrusted together with Arthur to the care of the aforesaid William; but on the same day it was told Arthur that the king of the English would take him and consign him to perpetual imprisonment ; on which he secretly made his escape and returned to the king of the French again. I/on' king Otho went to Home, and obtained the titte of emperor there- At that time the election of Philip duke of Suabia, and many others, was annulled, and Otho king of Germany was elected and admitted emperor of Rome by pope Innocent and all the Roman people. After this election was confirmed by the pope, Philip duke of Suabia, and all his supporters, were threatened with excommunication, unless they desisted from their persecution of Otho; and in the capital, and throughout the whole city of Rome, the cry was raised of' ' Life and health to the emperor Otho.' Being thus confinned in his title by all, he recollected that it was by king Richard's means that he had been advanced to such a great dignity, he therefore sent word to king John to put oil' coming to terms of friendship with the French king, because he the emperor would, God willing, in a short time piovidc him with such assistance as became the imperial dignity to give.