HONORIUS III., successor to Innocent III., was elected Pope A.D. 1216. His name was Cencio Savelli. He began at once to take part in the affairs of the East and the West. He assured the king of Jerusalem of his willingness to support the crusades. He wrote to the French bishops to kindle the ardour of the pilgrims, and promised the Emperor of the East his co-operation in subduing schism. He took part in the election of Peter of Courtenay, and crowned him Emperor of the West. Honorius was very anxious to organize a crusade to the Holy Land. Frederick II. was crowned for the express purpose of undertaking one, and promised, upon oath, to be ready in two years. But great difficulties were encountered, owing to the disturbed state of Europe. Spain and Portugal were devastated by the Moors, as well as by the wars of succession between the Houses of Castile and Leon. In the south of France there was already a crusade against the Albigenses; and differences existed between the House of Montfort and the Counts of Toulouse. Honorius died A.D. 1227, in the eleventh year of his pontificate, and without accomplishing anything important.