Honorius III, d. 1227, pope (1216–27), a Roman named Cencio
Savelli; successor of Innocent III. He was created cardinal in
1197 and was an able administrator of the papal treasury. He
authored the official tax book of the Roman church, listing all
religious and secular institutions owing dues to the Holy See.
He was also very learned, and Innocent made him the tutor of
Frederick (later Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II). On his
accession to the papacy Honorius tried to persuade Frederick to
go on crusade. He crowned (1220) Frederick, from whom he
received another promise to go, but throughout Honorius's
pontificate Frederick postponed departure. Honorius intervened
in English politics to force the barons to support the young
Henry III, a papal ward. Elsewhere he worked for peace in
Christendom—in Italy, Spain, Hungary, and Denmark. He was
succeeded by Gregory IX. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia,
6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights
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