Agnes von Hohenstaufen
Agnes, cousin of Emperor Henry VI, is engaged to Henry Palatinus, son of the Welf leader Henry the Lion. War and the emperor’s decision to marry her to the French king threaten their union. Henry arrives in disguise, is condemned and imprisoned, but escapes to marry Agnes. Captured again, he mortally wounds the French ambassador in a duel, revealing him to be King Philip Augustus. Henry the Lion arrives and submits to the emperor, who blesses the couple and calls for unity.