All over Germany the clash of steel against steel was ever resounding.

Not only kings and dukes engaged in wars, but the most insignificant baron would gather his few retainers around him and declare formal war against the occupant of the adjacent castle.

The spirit of chivalry, so called, was so rampant that private individuals would send a challenge to the emperor.

Contemporary writers record many curious specimens of these declarations of war.

The Lord of Praunstein declared war against the city of Frankfort, because a young lady of that city refused to dance with his uncle at a ball.
Frederic was now suffering from the infirmities of age.