favoured their enemies in the March, particularly the Este and the San Bonifacio (Sambonifacio). In 1232 the brothers struck an alliance with Frederick and received an imperial privilege of protection. However, four years passed before the emperor could personally intervene in the March of Treviso. The years 1232–1236 were therefore very difficult for Ezzelino and Alberico, who were assailed by many enemies, primarily the San Bonifacio, the Este and the city of Padua. In 1236, Frederick II finally arrived in the March of Treviso. Because Ezzelino and his Veronese allies, the Monticuli and Quattuorviginti, had gained control of Verona in early 1236, the emperor could bring reinforcements across the Alps, including 3000 German men-at-arms. In a campaign that began in November 1236 Frederick and Ezzelino, who was becoming an increasingly important ally of the emperor, subjugated all the important cities of the March of Treviso: Vicenza was conquered in November 1236, Padua and Treviso surrendered in February/March 1237. In 1236 Ezzelino married Selvaggia, Frederick's natural daughter who was thirteen years old at the time; conquered Verona and by treason Padua, seizing the position of podestà of that city. In Padua he had the monk Giordano Forzatè arrested and exiled. Ezzelino was one of the protagonists in the Ghibelline-Imperial victory of Cortenuova (1237) and in 1239 was named Imperial viceroy for the March of Treviso. His long-lasting struggle against Azzo VII of Este, the new duke of the Este ended with the total defeat of the latter and the annexion of many territories. Last years After a failed pacification attempt by Frederick, as soon as the emperor departed Ezzelino attacked the Este, submitting Treviso - even though it was his brother's fief - Belluno and Feltre. He was now lord of all lands between the city of Trento and the Oglio river and had acquired a reputation for cruelty and the regular use of torture against all enemies and alleged plotters, in the cities he ruled. In 1249, five years after Selvaggia's death at the age of just 21 years, he married Beatrice di Buontraverso. After Frederick's death in 1250, Ezzelino supported his son, Conrad IV. There was growing disgust at Ezzelino's cruel behavior, and in 1254 he was excommunicated by Pope Innocent IV, who also launched a crusade against him. He had reconciled with his brother and allied himself with other seigneurs of the Veneto and Lombardy, attacking Padua, which