Adalberon Reims
Adalberon of Reims was born circa 925 and died in Reims on 23 January 989 , is the thirty-ninth archbishop of Reims from 969 to 989. Man of letters and science, Adalberon was appointed Archbishop of Reims by King Lothar in order to impose a series of religious reforms in the ecclesiastical province. It starts by calling the head of his Episcopal school, Gerbert d'Aurillac , one of the greatest scholars of his time Biography Adalberon belongs to the illustrious family of Lorraine Wigricides , after Wigric. He is the son of Gothelon, Count of Ardennes Bidgau Methingau and then lay abbot of Gorze , and Oda of Metz. Abbey Gorze is a Mecca of the monastic reform taking place at that time in Lorraine. The family is an old family Adalberon French-speaking world knows, as his interests turn to either the Francie is to the Empire. For his parents it comes down to both Carolingian and Saxon / Ottonians. Cunegonde , the paternal grandmother of Adalberon, was the granddaughter of King Louis II le Begue. As for his maternal grandmother, Oda of Saxony, she was the daughter of Otto of Saxony, founder of the Ottonian family . In the tenth century, the house of Ardennes is powerful and well established around the Meuse including: Born in the Ardennes , the young Adalberon high the Monastery of Gorze , near Metz , then controlled by his uncle Adalberon , bishop of Metz. First canon of Metz he was chosen by King Lothair Odalric successor to the archbishopric of Reims in 969 : he was forty years . At that time and the last thirty years, the Archbishop of Rheims a prelate returned to Lorraine. Thus the clan Ardennes intends to preserve its supremacy in the region near the Lorraine. Adalberon is a faithful supporter of Ottonian to oppose the Counts of Hainaut who struggle against the imperial power since the early tenth century:Regnier III (+ 958) is launching numerous revolts and goes up to ally with King France of Louis IV d'Outremer . Himself a great scholar, according to Richer of Reims, Adalberon made his new city a center of intellectual life and artistic influence by calling in May 972 to one of the greatest scholars of his time: Gerbert d'Aurillac. As shown by Jean-Pierre Poly , the schoolmaster at Rheims Gerbert directs studies on Roman law . Reims has a reputation as the late tenth century, the Frankish duke Hugh Capet sent his son Robert to 984 so that they learn the rudiments of knowledge of his time. Himself illiterate, are not proficient in Latin, Hughes wants his son to become as educated as priests. Adalberon welcomes Robert, entrusted to the schoolmaster Gerbert, who moved to the episcopal school of the Abbey of Saint-Remi . The intellectual level of the young Robert has developed in the trivium and quadrivium , as recognized by the biographer of the future sovereign - Helgaud Fleury , Epitome vitae Roberti regis pii, v. 1033., Trained by monks scheduled to Gorze Adalberon shown a great interest in the monastic reform. He continued the reform of the abbey of Saint-Rmi and that he joined St. Timothy obtaining from the Pope John XXIII a privilege for all. Some time later, he sent a monk of Saint-Remi restore the monastery of Saint-Thierry few miles north of Reims. In 971 , Adalberon founded the fortified abbey of Mouzon where he set up the relics of St. Arnulf. The following year, he convened a synod in order to read the canons concerning discipline and pastoral liturgy. After asking to live in community (when they lived in private houses and cares only about their personal business) subject to the canons of his province the Rule of St. Benedict . Mindful of his "flock," said the anonymous Mouzon, Adalberon imitates his model Gregory the Great in his Pastoral Regula like a shepherd leading the way ahead for his followers. Wanting the good of his people, he finally expelled the secular clergy, who felt the science too low, no wisdom and non self-control. During his Archbishopric, the province of Reims see a clear change in its liturgy . Last point of his policy, expansion of the Cathedral of Reims , since the change of the liturgy is also an architectural. This building, like others of that time, originated the reorganization of ecclesiastical communities that arise throughout the tenth century. This application requires defining a rule but above all a place of cohabitation. After more than a century of existence it had to embellish Notre Dame . The historian Richer of Reims, a student of Adalberon gives us a very accurate description of the work done by the archbishop from 976 : - Richer of Reims, Stories, v. 990., This testimony on the construction of a tomb in the west of the church is what is known of the Carolingian cathedral of Reims started by Ebbo (816-817) at the imperial coronation of Louis the Pious and enshrined Hincmar in 862 before being modified, particularly with regard to the crypt by Adalberon. The so-called crypt here is the ground-floor arched, often topped by a floor, with an altar . - Richer of Reims, Stories, v. 990., Work luxurious Adalberon seems to impede the monk Richer said the cost of gold, silver, silverware, glassware (portable altar, wreaths, stained glass ...) for the restoration of the house of God. Until the late tenth century, Reims, is the largest of the archiepiscopal seat of France, claims to primacy of Gaul and its holder has the privilege of crowning the kings and direct their chancery. In fact, the Archbishop of Rheims has traditionally supported the ruling family and has long been central to royal policy (the most outstanding figure is surely that of Hincmar of Reims , a friend of King Charles the Bald ). But the election of Adalberon Reims seems to mark a turning point. Very soon it turns to the imperial family that supports his clan for decades . Since the ousting of Charles the Simple , who wanted to annex Lorraine, "the cradle of his family, the Carolingian kings Robertians then had more or less abandoned the project. This weakening of power in western France has resulted in the strengthening of the king of Germany is proclaimed Emperor at the same time Germanic ( 962 ). To have a permanent representative and establish its authority, Otto I was elected an archbishop in Reims Lorraine and place his brother ( Bruno of Cologne ) as guardian of King Lothar and Duke Hugh Capet (954-965). For several decades, Otto I and the Papacy validate all the king's candidate for the archbishopric of Reims. This seat has seen the election of two successive Lorraine near the imperial court: first Oldric (962) then Adalberon (969) . Over the years 970, Adalberon continues the policy initiated by family concord Bruno. However, the growing rivalry between Otto II and Lothar Adalberon place in a delicate situation . The Archbishop of Rheims, head turned toward the border Empire, for political purpose what contemporaries called "Ottonian order. He wants to strengthen family harmony between the Franks and Saxons through marriage alliances. Lothario is the nephew of Otto I as his father the deceased was married to Louis IV of Saxony Gerberge ( 939 ), sister of Otto I. Same situation as Hugh Capet Hugh the Great had married Hedwig of Saxony , another sister of Otto I, to thwart the ambitions of the Carolingian Lorraine. During his minority Lothario is married to Emma of Italy , whose domain is closely linked to the power Ottonian. After these multiple alliances between the three main families of the West (Carolingian and Ottonian Robertians), in the tenth century, refers to the indivisibility of the territory and a certain unity of the imperial crown. Adalberon Gerbert and even speak a renovatio of the res publica (a renaissance of public authority) under the auspices of the Ottonian Emperor . Under the tutelage of Bruno of Cologne, France is becoming increasingly a satellite kingdom of Aix-la-Chapelle. In 965 , Lothaire pales to the gathering of relatives and vassals of Otto. In Reims, and Gerbert Adalberon to form "one body and one soul" (letter of Gerbert). After a brief stay in Bobbio where Gerbert was appointed abbot by the emperor, he returned to his master to advise Reims in political maneuvering, "a reserve soldier in the imperial army." At the end of his reign the emperor has got hold of all the bishoprics Border (Reims, Verdun, Metz). But at his death ( 973 ), things seem to evolve . In 969 Adalberon is chosen as the arch-chancellor by Lothario. Conflicts reappear. After the counts Regnier robbed of their possessions for rebellion, Otto II entrusts the Hainaut to Godfrey I of Verdun. In 976 , Charles de Lorraine , Otto of Vermandois and both son of Regnier III of Hainaut walk on Mons : I. Godfrey is wounded. For his part, Archbishop deploys his army Warcq in pursuit of Otto of Vermandois. Lothair remains favorable to the clan of the Bulge as agreed to appoint Adalberon (nephew of Adalberon Reims) to the bishopric of Laon (977) . But gradually, the king of the Franks and Saxons cut its roots in genuine Carolingian arises. In 978 , he launched a general assault on Aix-la-Chapelle to take the Lorraine, a land that belongs to the regnum teutonicum (German kingdom) from 925. It takes the city, but can not be maintained. It is a failure, the ruler must seek refuge with Hugh Capet, which then passes to the savior of the Carolingian monarchy. In addition, the troops of Holy Roman Emperor to retreat in their turn. It is likely, as suggested by Richer, the Archbishop of Rheims procured guides to cross the swollen rivers (including the Aisne). Without him the operation was delayed by the heavy crew of the rear guard, might have turned into a disaster . - Richer of Reims, Stories, v. 990., Supported by Reims, Hugh is now the new leader of the kingdom. In 979 , Lothar wants to ensure his succession to the throne involving his eldest son, inspired by the Ottonian tradition. The ceremony took place at Compiegne in the presence of the king, Arnulf (king's illegitimate son), Adalberon of Reims under the blessing of Hugh. The meeting hailed Louis V , according to the rite Carolingian archbishop of Reims and the coronation of King Franks. In 980 , to the chagrin of Hugh Capet, Lothario decides to reconcile with Otto II: he agreed to renounce to Lorraine. Tension mounts between Lothair and Hugh. The Frankish king marries his son Louis of Anjou Adelaide which brings the Auvergne and the county of Toulouse , enough to take the territories Robertian pincer from the south ( 982 ). It is a failure, the couple divorced two years later . Otto III was three when his father dies (983): two parties vying for the regency, one led by Henry II of Bavaria, said the Wrangler and Lothair, the other by the empresses Theophano , his mother, and Adelaide of Burgundy , his grandmother. The tandem Reims strives to protect the young Otto. Adalberon, then advised to ensure Lothario guardianship of the child, in vain, since Theophano and Archbishop of Mainz Willigis regain control over the affairs of the Empire . Hugh would be closer to finally give up Lorraine to France. Through correspondence Gerbert, much information about these political developments have been obtained: - Gerbert d'Aurillac, Correspondence, ca 985., . Adalberon strives to maintain the loyalty of the young prelates Germanic Otto III. Faced with the disappointment of a Lothario irritated, his advisor suggested to Archbishop Gerbert of massing troops at Mzires and Mouzon (two fortresses that belong to the province in the Empire Reims). Gerbert, as pointed out one of his letters, is pleased to lead a contingent of army Ottonian. Having failed to secure the imperial tutelage, Lothario decides to take the offensive against Aix-la-Chapelle in January 985 at the head of an army of 10,000 men, the king of the Franks crossed the Rhine , took Verdun in March and imprisons the Count Godfrey I de Verdun (Adalberon brother), Fred (son of Godfrey I.) Siegfried of Luxembourg (Godfrey's uncle) and Thierry of Upper Lorraine (nephew of Hugh Capet) . The Archbishop of Rheims is forced by Lothar to keep a garrison in Verdun and write to the archbishops of Trier, Mainz and Cologne, he is the true king of the Carolingian. For his part, Gerbert is disproving this information from church . From imprisonment by the king of the Franks of Godfrey of Verdun, and Gerbert Adalberon working actively but secretly, against the Carolingian family, which purposely hinders the Ottonian order. The Duke of the Franks Hugh Capet becomes for them the ideal candidate, especially since it actively supports the reform monastic abbeys when other contenders continue to distribute loads abbey church and their customers. - Gerbert d'Aurillac Adalberon Reims, Correspondence, July 985., Such conduct could only appeal to Reims, very close to the Cluniac movement. Both men are pushing to get closer to Hugh Ottonian and aristocracy Lorraine . Lothario eventually suspecting that the Archbishop of Reims played a double game When asked to destroy the fortifications of Verdun , Adalberon refuses, claiming that his soldiers, hungry, no longer able to keep the city. Furious, Lothar convene a meeting in Compigne 11 May 985, under the pretext that the priest had placed his nephew Adalberon of Verdun on the seat without its consent . Alerted, Duke Hugh Capet walking Compiegne with 600 men and the assembly dispersed. He ordered the king to issue Lorraine (captive since the capture of Verdun in 985 ) but I de Verdun Godfrey refuses to be freed in exchange for the surrender of Mons, Verdun and Hainaut to Lothair. The latter wishing to attack Liege and Cambrai fell suddenly ill and died at Laon in March 986. He is buried in Saint-Remi de Reims and funerals are organized by Adalberon. Therefore, the Queen Mother Emma of Italy tries to win over the Archbishop to make a new covenant Carolingian Ottonian-determination but opposite Louis V concludes this approximation . The son of Lothaire, Louis V took over the business, but for him, there is no question of making peace with it deals Adalberon to be "the most wicked man that the earth" (Richer). It accuses him of having favored retirement Ottonian armies during the military campaign of 978. Louis V then launched a military expedition against Adalberon order to undergo once and for all. To save his city, the archbishop must give hostages, destroy castles he has in his diocese and finally promised to come and justify himself at Compiegne in March 987. A new meeting was finally held in Compiegne 987 May 18 to hear the explanations of the Archbishop about his betrayal . Present were suffragan of the Archbishop, the officers of the palace and the immediate surroundings of Louis V. However, he accidentally dies from a fall from his horse in the forest of Senlis during a hunting party (21 or 22 May 987). Time is short, Hugh Capet then dismisses charge against Adalberon, and Louis V, who wanted his burial at the abbey of Saint-Remi of Reims, is buried on site at Saint-Corneille de Compigne. The prelate expressed his interest in the kingdom of France. A final meeting is held in Senlis (in the palace of Hugh Capet) May 29 to qu'Adalbron has time to return to Reims to resume his episcopal see. Charles de Lorraine rushed to him for him to assert his rights to succession, but the archbishop turned away and joined Senlis . In May 987, columnists, including Richer of Reims and Gerbert d'Aurillac, write to Senlis, "Charles went out of the race." But even if Louis V died childless, he remains a Carolingian could ascend the throne. This is Charles de Lorraine, son of Louis IV and brother of Lothair. It is not unusual: it is not the first time a Carolingian is competing with Robertians . In fact, the time of the father of Hugh Capet, we could not conceive of breaking with the Carolingians as it exists, and Louis IV was seen as young and pure . In 987, times have changed. For ten years, Hugh Capet King openly compete, he seems to have submitted the great vassals, but, above all, his opponent Charles of Lorraine is accused of all evil: he wanted to usurp the crown (978), it is ally of Otto II and then he accused of adultery, the Queen Emma of Italy, wife of his brother . Adalberon Reims convene the highest nobles of France at Senlis, and said: Adalberon Reims differs from the views of his time denying the rule of the royal inheritance. This runs counter to the papal prohibition which says "never daring to elect a king in the future other kidney" than those of the Carolingians. The archbishop also know that twice, the popes of the tenth century supported the Carolingian Louis IV against Hugh the Great. Adalberon's thesis is: "The emperors of nobles were filed because of their lack of virtue (virtus), they were the successors sometimes equal, sometimes lower their origins" (referring to Charles the Fat ( 887 ) and Charles the Simple ( 922 )). In short, if the suitor is a Carolingian, but lack of virtus the throne should go to someone more shows . Adalberon pleads one last time in favor of Hugh: - Richer of Reims, History, IV, v. 990., Hughes strengthens his dynasty Today we still do not know with certainty where and when Hugh Capet was crowned and anointed by Adalberon Reims. Hugues Richer writing is crowned and consecrated on June 1 but Yves Sassier can not imagine that one can then crown the new king only ten days after the death of the Carolingian. It seems rather that Hugues was acclaimed king by the assembly of Senlis (possibly June 3) and then crowned and anointed King on July 3 at Noyon . Become king, Hugh wants to anchor the fate of his family to Capetians loses more the crown, as was the case in 898 to Eudes in 923 and with Carrick. Thus, it offers the combination of Robert Adalberon the throne. The Archbishop of Rheims is hostile to this proposal and by Richer, he answered the king, "you have no right to create two kings in the same year. It is believed that Gerbert of Aurillac (which is itself close to Borell II, which was once his protector), would then come to the help of Hugh to convince the bishop to discuss the appeal of Count Borell II , Count of Barcelona , enlisting the help of the new king to fight against Al-Mansur. If Hughes were to die, who would succeed him? Under duress, Adalberon yields . The young prince of 15 years is acclaimed and crowned crowned by the Archbishop of Reims on 25 December 987 in the Cathedral Sainte-Croix of Orleans . Once elected, Hugues Capet makes the city of Verdun to the house of Ardennes, whose chief Godfrey has just been released (was 987). The new monarch hopes to strengthen its alliance with Adalberon and show that Otto III Lotharingia not interested. Capetian but also faces many opponents, especially Charles of Lorraine (brother of the late King Lothario). The latter reappears in 988 when he captured the city of Laon, one of the last Carolingian . The Duke of Lorraine knows he can seize power without the backing of Reims. He decided to contact Gerbert and his master Adalberon. Gerbert answers his missive: - Gerbert d'Aurillac to Charles of Lorraine, Correspondence, June 988., . Adalberon him, was summoned to the synod of bishops met by Hugh Capet and Robert the Pious to know how they will dislodge the Duke Charles of Lorraine. It decides collegially to besiege the city laonnois: at the end of June 988, Hugh march towards the city at the head of 6,000 warriors. According to sources, the Archbishop of Rheims would be present at the second seat: it's a real failure (Fall-Winter 988). Turn receiving a letter from the usurper, the prelate replied: Concerned by these failures, Hughes contacted several rulers to seek their help. We read a letter written in July 988, in the writings of Gerbert, in which the first Capetian not only to inform the Empress Theophano (regent for her son Otto III) shares of Charles of Lorraine. Indeed, he suggests a meeting. Now, being in Meersburg (near Lake Constance ) in the month of August, it seems that Theophano has not moved . In order to support Hugh Capet Adalberon tries to convince his colleagues to help the king of the Franks to fight against the usurpation of the Duke of Lorraine. Thus he conjures Adalberon Metz to follow: - Adalberon of Reims Adalberon Metz, Correspondence, December 988., . The funeral was held in the cathedral of Reims and are chaired by Hugh Capet. Gerbert of Aurillac is collapsed: - Gerbert d'Aurillac Remi Mettlach, Correspondence, January 989., Notes The policy Adalberon in Reims
A powerful family
The ecclesiastical reform
The embellishment of Notre-Dame de Reims
The dream of an empire in the West Ottonian
The family concord
"The order Ottonian"
The revolt of Lothar
The trial of Adalberon
The intrigues and Gerbert Adalberon
The last bring to justice the Carolingians
Hugh Capet king of the Franks
The ousting of Charles de Lorraine
. Recent years (988-989)
Charles de Lorraine Adalberon contacts and Gerbert
The death of Adalberon
Bibliography
Sources
Books
Robert Delort (ed.), The France of the year one thousand, Seuil, Paris, 1990. ( ISBN 978-2020115247 ) Leading Francis (et al), The Capetian. History and Dictionary. 987-1328, Robert Laffont, Paris, 1999. ( ISBN 978-2221056875 ) Michel Parisse (ed.), The King of France and his kingdom around one thousand, Picard, Paris, 1992. ( ISBN 978-2708404205 ) Pierre Riche , Gerbert d'Aurillac. The Pope of the year one thousand, Fayard, Paris, 1987. ( ISBN 978-2213019581 ) Yves Sassier , Hugues Capet, Fayard, Paris, 1987. ( ISBN 978-2213019192 ) Yves Sassier , Kingship and ideology in the Middle Ages, Colin, Paris, 2000. ( ISBN 978-2200016562 ) Lawrence Theis , The Legacy of Charles De Charlemagne's death around the year one thousand, Seuil, Paris, 1990. ( ISBN 978-2020115537 ) Lawrence Theis , Robert the Pious. The king of the year one thousand, Perrin, Paris, 1999. ( ISBN 978-2262013752 ) Articles
Internal Links
References
Articles frames Motte Feudalism Peace of God Ottonian Renaissance 
Sovereigns Hugh Capet Robert the Pious Otto I Otto II Otto III Borrell II Popes Gregory V Sylvester II Literati Abbo of Fleury Adalberon Reims Gerbert d'Aurillac Helgaud Fleury Richer of Reims Historiography Terrors of the year one thousand 
Loading ...