medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (19. April) was the feast day of:
Geroldus (d. 978) Geroldus was the son of an Austrian comital
family. When middle-aged, he decided to become a hermit in the
Walsertal.
Alphege of Canterbury (d. 1012) alphege (Aelfheah) was a monk who
became abbot of Bath, bishop of Winchester, and finally archbishop of
Canterbury in 1005. He was captured by invading Danes in 1011 and
held for ransom. When he refused to allow money to be collected, a
bunch of drunken Danes started pelting him with animal bones--killing
him. This was bad press for King Sveinn, who turned the body over
for Christian burial. His son Cnut, who became king of England,
defused the bad PR situation by furthering A's cult as a saint.
Leo IX (d. 1054) The Alsatian Bruno of Toul was the son of a count
and a kinsman of the Salian dynasty. He became a canon of Toul and
then bishop there, showing himself a strong advocate of reform in the
office. When Pope Damasus II died in 1048, Emperor Henry III
"nominated" Bruno as his successor, and he was duly consecrated
taking the name Leo IX. He decided on big-time reform, presiding
over 12 synods (4 in Rome, more in Pavia, Rheims, Mainz, Siponto,
Salerno, Vercelli, Mantua, and Bari), and taking a very strong stand
against simony and clerical marriage. He also got embroiled with the
Normans in sotuhern Italy, was defeated, and spent several months of
his pontificate in captivity. And of course he sent a legation to
Constantinople that resulted in the East/West Schism. Leo's popular
cult was approved in 1087.
--
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
Associate Professor & Chair
History Department
University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Dr. #5047
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
(601) 266-5844
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