Markgraf

From this time, P. began to decline; various districts were ceded to the markgrafs of Brandenburg, while many districts began to be colonised by Germans.

[…] he was large-boned, lean, but still firm-knit, tall, and strong-looking when he stood, a right good old steel-gray figure, with rustic simplicity and dignity about him, and a vivacious strength looking through him which might have suited one of those old steel-gray markgrafs whom Henry the Fowler set up to ward the “marches,” and do battle with the intrusive heathen in a stalwart and judicious manner.

The future of eastern Europe was in the hands of the markgrafs of Brandenburg and of Austria.

But in 1154 the advent of the Kaiser Frederic Barbarossa in Italy so strengthened the markgrafs around Vintimilia that in 1158 the Genoese were expelled from their fortress.