Landulf II, Archbishop of Benevento
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Landulf II was the Archbishop of Benevento from 8 November 1108 to his death. He succeeded Roffredo more than a year after the latter's death on 9 September 1107. The main source for his eventful reign is the contemporary chronicler and fellow Lombard
and Benventan
Falco
.
Landulf was a son of Gaideris, probably of local origin. Landulf was the cardinal-priest of San Lorenzo in Lucina
when he was elected archbishop. He was consecrated to his office by Pope Paschal II
himself during a synod in Benevento lasting from October to November 1108. He was a reformer
and he directed his energies towards restructuring his ancient diocese, which corresponded roughly to the Principality of Benevento, which was technically papal property. In 1112, he played an essential rôle in the selection of rector
for the territory.
Despite these characteristics, Landulf was a supporter of the popular party and the Normans and opponent of the pro-papal aristocracy, led by the papal constable
Landulf of Greca. A great many feudi (vassals) of the archdiocese were Normans. Discord, however, reached such a level between the two Landulfs that the constable was forced to flee to Montefusco
and the archbishop went to Rome
in 1114 to seek mediation. The pope responded by sending a Romuald
, cardinal-deacon of Santa Maria in Via Lata
, and Peter
, cardinal-bishop of Porto, to arbitrate between the disputants. Landulf, moreover, had made peace with Robert I of Capua
and Jordan of Ariano
, who had attacked the city. The pope accused Landulf of exceeding his authority by making truces without papal permission. Romuald found the archbishop to blame for the conflict with Greca and the pope deposed him from his see at the Council of Ceprano in October that year. An eyewitness account of this is probably found in Falco.
The Abbey of Montecassino intervened on Landulf's behalf with the pope and, on 11 August 1116, he was reappointed. On 10 March 1118, he was in Gaeta
to greet Pope Gelasius II
in his exile. On 10 March 1119, he convoked a local synod to put an end to the ongoing violence. Attended by many cardinals and bishops, the council provided little help to the situation.
Landulf was a promoter of local hagiography and cults. He also built a new episcopal cathedral and translated the bodies of the saints kept at the old one there on 15 May. He died 4 August 1119, leaving us some sermons, hagiographies, and a passion.
Lombards
The Lombards , also referred to as Longobards, were a Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin, who from 568 to 774 ruled a Kingdom in Italy...
and Benventan
Benevento
Benevento is a town and comune of Campania, Italy, capital of the province of Benevento, 50 km northeast of Naples. It is situated on a hill 130 m above sea-level at the confluence of the Calore Irpino and Sabato...
Falco
Falco of Benevento
Falco of Benevento was an Italian twelfth-century historian, notary and scribe in the papal palace in Benevento, his native city, where he was born to high-standing parents.He is an important chronicler for the years between 1102 and 1139 in the Mezzogiorno...
.
Landulf was a son of Gaideris, probably of local origin. Landulf was the cardinal-priest of San Lorenzo in Lucina
San Lorenzo in Lucina
The Church of St Lawrence's at Lucina is a Roman Catholic parish and titular church and minor basilica in Rome, Italy, dedicated to Saint Lawrence, Roman deacon and martyr. The name Lucina comes from the Roman matron owner of the house on which the church was built.The current Cardinal Priest of...
when he was elected archbishop. He was consecrated to his office by Pope Paschal II
Pope Paschal II
Pope Paschal II , born Ranierius, was Pope from August 13, 1099, until his death. A monk of the Cluniac order, he was created cardinal priest of the Titulus S...
himself during a synod in Benevento lasting from October to November 1108. He was a reformer
Gregorian Reform
The Gregorian Reforms were a series of reforms initiated by Pope Gregory VII and the circle he formed in the papal curia, circa 1050–80, which dealt with the moral integrity and independence of the clergy...
and he directed his energies towards restructuring his ancient diocese, which corresponded roughly to the Principality of Benevento, which was technically papal property. In 1112, he played an essential rôle in the selection of rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
for the territory.
Despite these characteristics, Landulf was a supporter of the popular party and the Normans and opponent of the pro-papal aristocracy, led by the papal constable
Constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
Landulf of Greca. A great many feudi (vassals) of the archdiocese were Normans. Discord, however, reached such a level between the two Landulfs that the constable was forced to flee to Montefusco
Montefusco
Montefusco is a town and comune in the province of Avellino, Campania, Italy. The town is located on the top of a hill overlooking the Sabato river valley.-External links:*...
and the archbishop went to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in 1114 to seek mediation. The pope responded by sending a Romuald
Romuald I (Archbishop of Salerno)
Romuald I was the Archbishop of Salerno from 1121 until his death. He had been the cardinal-deacon of Santa Maria in Via Lata from c. 1109, and in that capacity served Pope Paschal II as a diplomat...
, cardinal-deacon of Santa Maria in Via Lata
Santa Maria in Via Lata
Santa Maria in Via Lata is a church on the Via del Corso , in Rome, Italy.-History:It is claimed that St. Paul spent two years here, in the crypt under the church, whilst under house arrest waiting for his trial. This conflicts with the tradition regarding San Paolo alla Regola...
, and Peter
Pietro Senex
Pietro Senex was Cardinal-Bishop of Porto from 1102 until his death.He was born probably in Rome. He appears for the first time as cardinal in March 1102, when he exercised the legatine duties in Benevento. From 1106 until 1109 he is attested as governor of Benevento...
, cardinal-bishop of Porto, to arbitrate between the disputants. Landulf, moreover, had made peace with Robert I of Capua
Robert I of Capua
Robert I , count of Aversa and prince of Capua from 1106, on the death of his elder and heirless brother Richard, was the second eldest son of Jordan I of Capua and Gaitelgrima, daughter of Guaimar IV of Salerno....
and Jordan of Ariano
Jordan of Ariano
Jordan , count of Ariano , was a petty baron in Apulia during the reign of the Duke William II. He was the son and successor of Count Eribert and Altrude of Buonalbergo....
, who had attacked the city. The pope accused Landulf of exceeding his authority by making truces without papal permission. Romuald found the archbishop to blame for the conflict with Greca and the pope deposed him from his see at the Council of Ceprano in October that year. An eyewitness account of this is probably found in Falco.
The Abbey of Montecassino intervened on Landulf's behalf with the pope and, on 11 August 1116, he was reappointed. On 10 March 1118, he was in Gaeta
Gaeta
Gaeta is a city and comune in the province of Latina, in Lazio, central Italy. Set on a promontory stretching towards the Gulf of Gaeta, it is 120 km from Rome and 80 km from Naples....
to greet Pope Gelasius II
Pope Gelasius II
Pope Gelasius II , born Giovanni Caetani , was pope from January 24, 1118 to January 29, 1119.-Biography:He was born between 1060 and 1064 at Gaeta into the Pisan branch of the Caetani family....
in his exile. On 10 March 1119, he convoked a local synod to put an end to the ongoing violence. Attended by many cardinals and bishops, the council provided little help to the situation.
Landulf was a promoter of local hagiography and cults. He also built a new episcopal cathedral and translated the bodies of the saints kept at the old one there on 15 May. He died 4 August 1119, leaving us some sermons, hagiographies, and a passion.
Sources
- Caravale, Mario (ed). Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani: LXIII Labroca – Laterza. RomeRomeRome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, 2004. - Houben, Hubert (translated by Graham A. Loud and Diane Milburn). Roger II of Sicily: Ruler between East and West. Cambridge University PressCambridge University PressCambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world's oldest publishing house, and the second largest university press in the world...
, 2002.