It was a foreigner, German Emperor Frederick II, who launched the movement for a national language at his court in Palermo, but Florentine-born Dante Alighieri (1265 1321) provided the ardor, moral leadership, and literary example to bring it to fruition.
369763
The German Emperor started a push to have one language for the nation.
369764
The German Emperor was content with a mix of languages throughout the country.