While the other Communes of Tuscany were thus humiliated and oppressed, Pisa was basking in the sunshine of Imperial favour, and dreaming dreams of a vast sea-born Empire. She had already entered into rivalry with Venice in the Adriatic, “in non modicam erecta audaciam,” as says the Cronica Altinate; and, in 1188, a treaty was concluded with the rebellious Zara. In Syria her prestige was growing apace, and the services which her sons, and especially the Societas Vertnigliorum, rendered to Conrad of Montferrat in the defence of Tyre (1187) were magnificently rewarded with praise and privileges. In the same year an army was sent to Sardinia, where the Genoese had been intriguing with Agalbursa, the widow of Barisone of Arborea, and with the Judges of Cagliari and Torres; “et mercatores Ianue omnes quoscumque [Pisani] invenerunt, bonis suis expoliarunt et de toto iudicatu Kalaris eiecerunt.” In revenge, the Genoese sent an expedition to Corsica and destroyed the fortress of Bonifacio. It was, however, speedily rebuilt, and became a veritable nest of corsairs, who, under the tacit protection of Pisa, preyed continually on the commerce of Genoa.

Meanwhile, the news that the Holy Sepulchre had once more fallen into the hands of the infidel re-awakened the old crusading fervour throughout Europe.