in the ensuing dynastic struggle for the throne between the hohenstaufen and the welfs, he crowned on 12 july 1198 the welf otto of brunswick in aachen as king of the romans (or german king). shortly afterwards, pope innocent iii, who had an interest in weakening the hohenstaufen and in breaking their power (particularly in italy), confirmed the election of otto. on 6 january 1205 however adolf then crowned the staufen competitor for the crown, philip of swabia, as german king. philip had already been crowned in 1198, although only in mainz cathedral, but he had nevertheless been crowned with the genuine imperial regalia and especially the imperial crown.