The 1240s also marked an important period of ecclesiastical activity.  Conflict between the papacy and Emperor Frederick II had led Pope Innocent IV to flee to Lyon in 1244 and relocate the papal court there until 1251.  In hope of resolving this conflict, among other pressing concerns, Innocent convened the First Council of Lyon in 1245.  Grosseteste was included among the English delegation. Grosseteste returned to the papal court in 1250. Addressing the pope and cardinals, he bemoaned the failings of the church, which he located in its deviation from its pastoral mission. Grosseteste placed the blame for this state of affairs squarely at the feet of the papal court, suggesting that if matters continued on their present course the pope would not be due obedience.  In 1253, the last year of his life, in a famous and angry letter to the pope (letter # 128), Grosseteste did indeed in no uncertain terms refuse to obey the pope’s instructions to confer a benefice on one of the pope’s nephews, whom he viewed as unfit for the pastoral care.  