It is easy to see that even an Innocent III.

might feel himself helpless and tempted to yield to discouragement, in the face of so many ills.[10] The best spirits were turning toward the Orient, asking themselves if perchance the Greek Church might not suddenly come forward to purify all these abuses, and receive for herself the inheritance of her sister.[11] The clergy, though no longer respected, still overawed the people through their superstitious terror of their power.

Here and there might have been perceived many a forewarning of direful revolts; the roads to Rome were crowded with monks hastening to claim the protection of the Holy See against the people among whom they lived.

The Pope would promptly declare an interdict, but it was not to be expected that such a resource would avail forever.[12] To maintain the privileges of the Church the papacy was often obliged to spread the mantle of its protection over those who deserved it least.
Its clients were not always as interesting as the unfortunate Ingelburge.

It would be easier to give unreserved admiration to the conduct of Innocent III.