The pope himself wrote to the emperor on his behalf.

The barons of the empire were indignant at the shame placed upon their country; and the emperor, although he would fain have thrown further delays in the way, was obliged at last to order the first step to be taken.
A solemn diet was ordered to assemble at Worms.

Here were collected all the nobles of the empire, and before them King Richard was brought.

It was a grand assembly.

Upon a raised throne on the dais sat the emperor himself, and beside him and near him were the great feudatories of the empire, and along the sides of the walls were ranged in long rows the lesser barons.