Battle of Cingoli

The Battle of Cingoli was fought in 1250 between the forces of the Holy [Roman Empire] and the armies of the Guelphs and the Papal States, the area being so notable due to its nickname as "The Balcony of Marche". The Imperial forces inflicted a crushing defeat on the Pope's factions. After the battle, Frederick II, [Holy Roman Emperor] was smitten with dysentery, and Pope Innocent IV declared the illness to be an act of God. This was most probably due to the Emperor's excommunication; a common threat and practice for subduing overconfident Catholic leadership.