Pope Damasus II
Encyclopedia
Pope Damasus II born Poppo, Pope
from July 17, 1048 to August 9, 1048, was the second of the German pontiffs nominated by Emperor Henry III
(1039–56). A native of Bavaria
, he was the third German to become Pope and had one of the shortest papal reigns. His original name was Poppo, and he was bishop of Brixen when the Emperor raised him to the papacy.
and installing Clement II, it is unsurprising that on Christmas Day 1047, an emissary was sent by the Roman people, bringing tidings of Clement II's death to Henry III, and asking the Emperor, in his position as Patricius of the Romans to appoint a successor. Henry had been engaged in an indecisive campaign in Frisia
, and was in his palace at Pöhlde
in Saxony
when the embassy found him. The envoys, according to their instructions, suggested as a suitable candidate, the handsome Halinard
, Archbishop of Lyon, who was a fluent speaker of Italian, and was well respected in Rome.
Henry though was unwilling to rush matters, and so asked Wazo
of Liège
, the most independent bishop within the empire, who ought to be made pope. After careful consideration, Wazo declared that the most appropriate candidate for the vacant papal throne was the man the emperor had removed – Gregory VI. Wazo's deliberations had taken time, and Henry had soon lost patience. Henry had instead appointed Poppo, Bishop of Brixen in Tyrol
, a proud man of distinguished learning, who had taken part in the Synod of Sutri. This decision antagonized the Romans who were still pushing for Halinard to become the new Pope. Nevertheless, Henry sent the Roman envoys back to Rome with great presents, to prepare for the arrival of their new Pope.
had been intently watching the situation in Rome, and had decided that now was his opportunity to reclaim what was his. He approached the Margrave Boniface III of Tuscany
for help, and Boniface, who did not like the emperor, was easily convinced to help anyone who would disrupt Henry's authority. After Benedict had used his extensive supply of gold to gain a large number of followers, the Margrave's influence enabled him to occupy the papal throne for over eight months, from November 8, 1047 until July 17, 1048.
In the meantime, Henry was marching down towards Italy with Poppo, accompanying him at least as far as Ulm
(in Württemberg
) on the Danube
. Here it came to light that the papal exchequer
was close to bankrupt, and so Poppo was allowed to retain the revenues of his see
. In addition, a deed was drawn up on January 25, 1048, granting Poppo an important forest in the valley of Puster. Having done this, and unable to leave Germany in case there might be an uprising during his absence, he directed the Margrave Boniface to conduct the Pope-designate to Rome in person, and in the emperor's name to arrange for the enthroning of the new Pope.
Given his role in the usurpation of Benedict IX, and his attitude towards Henry III, it is unsurprising that Boniface at first refused, advising Poppo when he entered Tuscany, "I cannot go to Rome with you. The Romans have again installed Benedict, and he has won over the whole city to his cause. Besides, I am now an old man." Having nowhere to turn, and unable to proceed, Poppo had no choice but to turn around and return to Germany, where he informed Henry of what had transpired.
After Benedict IX's removal, the Bishop of Brixen entered the city in triumph, as the Romans, with every demonstration of joy, welcomed the bishop who would be Pope. He was enthroned at the Lateran
as Pope Damasus II on July 17, 1048. His pontificate, however, was of short duration. Overcome, in all likelihood, by the heat of Rome, he retired to Palestrina
, but it was too late. After a brief reign of twenty-three days, he died on August 9, and was buried in San Lorenzo fuori le Mura
. According to Panvinio (died 1568), Damasus’ sarcophagus
was large and "adorned with reliefs representing a vineyard, with cupids as the wine gatherers."
The shortness of Damasus II's reign led to rumors that he had been poison
ed by a man named Gerhard Brazutus, a friend of Benedict IX and a follower of Hildebrand
. However, the source for this information is extremely suspect, and a more likely scenario is that he died of malaria
.
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
from July 17, 1048 to August 9, 1048, was the second of the German pontiffs nominated by Emperor Henry III
Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry III , called the Black or the Pious, was a member of the Salian Dynasty of Holy Roman Emperors...
(1039–56). A native of Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
, he was the third German to become Pope and had one of the shortest papal reigns. His original name was Poppo, and he was bishop of Brixen when the Emperor raised him to the papacy.
Imperial nomination
Given the display of imperial power Henry III had inflicted on the Romans in intervening against Pope Gregory VIPope Gregory VI
Pope Gregory VI , born John Gratian , was Pope from 1 May 1045 until his abdication at the Council of Sutri on 20 December 1046....
and installing Clement II, it is unsurprising that on Christmas Day 1047, an emissary was sent by the Roman people, bringing tidings of Clement II's death to Henry III, and asking the Emperor, in his position as Patricius of the Romans to appoint a successor. Henry had been engaged in an indecisive campaign in Frisia
Frisia
Frisia is a coastal region along the southeastern corner of the North Sea, i.e. the German Bight. Frisia is the traditional homeland of the Frisians, a Germanic people who speak Frisian, a language group closely related to the English language...
, and was in his palace at Pöhlde
Pöhlde
Pöhlde is a village in southern Lower Saxony in Germany. It is part of the town Herzberg am Harz. It has a population of 2207 . Archaeological excavation has revealed traces of settlement dating to the 2nd through 4th centuries AD. The town is noted for its Benedictine abbey...
in Saxony
Saxony
The Free State of Saxony is a landlocked state of Germany, contingent with Brandenburg, Saxony Anhalt, Thuringia, Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Poland. It is the tenth-largest German state in area, with of Germany's sixteen states....
when the embassy found him. The envoys, according to their instructions, suggested as a suitable candidate, the handsome Halinard
Halinard
Halinard was Archbishop of Lyon from 1046 to 1052. He was once a candidate for the papacy, but turned it down. He spoke fluent Italian....
, Archbishop of Lyon, who was a fluent speaker of Italian, and was well respected in Rome.
Henry though was unwilling to rush matters, and so asked Wazo
WAZO
WAZO is a radio station broadcasting a contemporary hit radio format. Licensed to Southport, North Carolina, USA, the station serves the Wilmington area. WAZO is currently owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company...
of Liège
Liège
Liège is a major city and municipality of Belgium located in the province of Liège, of which it is the economic capital, in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium....
, the most independent bishop within the empire, who ought to be made pope. After careful consideration, Wazo declared that the most appropriate candidate for the vacant papal throne was the man the emperor had removed – Gregory VI. Wazo's deliberations had taken time, and Henry had soon lost patience. Henry had instead appointed Poppo, Bishop of Brixen in Tyrol
German Tyrol
German Tyrol is a historical region in the Alps now divided between Austria and Italy. It includes largely ethnic German areas of historical County of Tyrol: the Austrian state of Tyrol and the province of South Tyrol but not the largely Italian-speaking province of Trentino .-History:German...
, a proud man of distinguished learning, who had taken part in the Synod of Sutri. This decision antagonized the Romans who were still pushing for Halinard to become the new Pope. Nevertheless, Henry sent the Roman envoys back to Rome with great presents, to prepare for the arrival of their new Pope.
Arrival in Italy
During the envoys’ absence, imperial authority in Rome had been virtually extinguished, as the Tusculan faction reasserted its power. The former pope, Benedict IX, residing at TusculumTusculum
Tusculum is a ruined Roman city in the Alban Hills, in the Latium region of Italy.-Location:Tusculum is one of the largest Roman cities in Alban Hills. The ruins of Tusculum are located on Tuscolo hill—more specifically on the northern edge of the outer crater ring of the Alban volcano...
had been intently watching the situation in Rome, and had decided that now was his opportunity to reclaim what was his. He approached the Margrave Boniface III of Tuscany
Boniface III of Tuscany
Boniface III , son of Tedald of Canossa and the father of Matilda of Canossa, was the most powerful north Italian prince of his age...
for help, and Boniface, who did not like the emperor, was easily convinced to help anyone who would disrupt Henry's authority. After Benedict had used his extensive supply of gold to gain a large number of followers, the Margrave's influence enabled him to occupy the papal throne for over eight months, from November 8, 1047 until July 17, 1048.
In the meantime, Henry was marching down towards Italy with Poppo, accompanying him at least as far as Ulm
Ulm
Ulm is a city in the federal German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the River Danube. The city, whose population is estimated at 120,000 , forms an urban district of its own and is the administrative seat of the Alb-Donau district. Ulm, founded around 850, is rich in history and...
(in Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
) on the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
. Here it came to light that the papal exchequer
Exchequer
The Exchequer is a government department of the United Kingdom responsible for the management and collection of taxation and other government revenues. The historical Exchequer developed judicial roles...
was close to bankrupt, and so Poppo was allowed to retain the revenues of his see
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
. In addition, a deed was drawn up on January 25, 1048, granting Poppo an important forest in the valley of Puster. Having done this, and unable to leave Germany in case there might be an uprising during his absence, he directed the Margrave Boniface to conduct the Pope-designate to Rome in person, and in the emperor's name to arrange for the enthroning of the new Pope.
Given his role in the usurpation of Benedict IX, and his attitude towards Henry III, it is unsurprising that Boniface at first refused, advising Poppo when he entered Tuscany, "I cannot go to Rome with you. The Romans have again installed Benedict, and he has won over the whole city to his cause. Besides, I am now an old man." Having nowhere to turn, and unable to proceed, Poppo had no choice but to turn around and return to Germany, where he informed Henry of what had transpired.
Papal coronation
Upon receiving the news, Henry was furious. Poppo was quickly sent back to Boniface, carrying with him a letter from the emperor which ordered him to arrange the expulsion of Benedict and the enthroning of his successor. Henry was simple and direct. "Learn, you who have restored a Pope who was canonically deposed, and who have been led by love of money to despise my commands, learn that, if you do not amend your ways, I will soon come and make you." These threats soon reduced Boniface to obedience. He sent a body of troops into Rome and forcibly expelled Benedict from the city.After Benedict IX's removal, the Bishop of Brixen entered the city in triumph, as the Romans, with every demonstration of joy, welcomed the bishop who would be Pope. He was enthroned at the Lateran
Lateran
Lateran and Laterano are the shared names of several architectural projects throughout Rome. The properties were once owned by the Lateranus family of the former Roman Empire...
as Pope Damasus II on July 17, 1048. His pontificate, however, was of short duration. Overcome, in all likelihood, by the heat of Rome, he retired to Palestrina
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina was an Italian Renaissance composer of sacred music and the best-known 16th-century representative of the Roman School of musical composition...
, but it was too late. After a brief reign of twenty-three days, he died on August 9, and was buried in San Lorenzo fuori le Mura
San Lorenzo fuori le Mura
The Papal Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls is a Roman Catholic parish church and minor basilica, located in Rome, Italy. The basilica is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome and one of the five Patriarchal basilicas, each of which is assigned to a patriarchate. St...
. According to Panvinio (died 1568), Damasus’ sarcophagus
Sarcophagus
A sarcophagus is a funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved or cut from stone. The word "sarcophagus" comes from the Greek σαρξ sarx meaning "flesh", and φαγειν phagein meaning "to eat", hence sarkophagus means "flesh-eating"; from the phrase lithos sarkophagos...
was large and "adorned with reliefs representing a vineyard, with cupids as the wine gatherers."
The shortness of Damasus II's reign led to rumors that he had been poison
Poison
In the context of biology, poisons are substances that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism....
ed by a man named Gerhard Brazutus, a friend of Benedict IX and a follower of Hildebrand
Pope Gregory VII
Pope St. Gregory VII , born Hildebrand of Sovana , was Pope from April 22, 1073, until his death. One of the great reforming popes, he is perhaps best known for the part he played in the Investiture Controversy, his dispute with Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor affirming the primacy of the papal...
. However, the source for this information is extremely suspect, and a more likely scenario is that he died of malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
.