The Lombard League (Italian:Lega Lombarda, same in Lombard) was a medieval alliance formed in 1167 to counter the attempts by the Holy Roman Emperors from the Hohenstaufens to assert the influence of the Holy Roman Empire over the Kingdom of Italy. At its apex it included most of the cities of Northern Italy, although its membership changed with time, and was supported by the Pope. With the death of the third and last Hohenstaufen emperor, Frederick II, in 1250 it became obsolete and was disbanded.