He is the epitome of the medieval ruler: Emperor Frederick I from the Staufer dynasty. Because of his red beard, the Italians called him Barbarossa, Emperor Redbeard. He fought with popes over power and the precedence of the secular ruler over the spiritual one. He waged six campaigns for Italy and saw himself as the legitimate Christian heir of the Roman emperors. His most powerful vassal, Henry the Lion, would become his worst rival. As a crusader, Barbarossa set out for the Holy Land. He, who considered himself the savior of Christendom, would never return from there.