Italienzug

[1] Prior to the reforms of Frederick Barbarossa, the kings of the Romans struggled to muster an army for the expedition, for they needed the formal approval of the Reichstag.

However, the nobility was generally disinterested and inclined to rather substitute a monetary payment for the service.

Therefore, the small force tended to be composed out of mercenaries and high ranking clergymen, reinforced by loyal Italian cities.

[2] Occasionally the substitution was not enough; Henry V ended up using his wife Matilda's dowry to fund his Italienzug.

[3] Following Barbarossa's struggles against the Lombard League towards the end of the 12th century, the system was reformed by banning monetary substitution and requiring each prince to contribute a fixed amount of troops for the cause.