Udo, Archbishop of Trier
Encyclopedia
Udo of Nellenburg was the Archbishop of Trier from 1066 until his death. He was an important mediator during the height of the Investiture Controversy
.
Udo was born in Tübingen
, Swabia
, as the eldest son of Count Eberhard of Nellenburg. After the murder of Archbishop Cuno I of Trier, a foreigner, in early June 1066, the cathedral chapter elected Udo, one of their number to replace him.
In 1067, Udo received priestly consecration. Udo became a leading German voice in the campaign of Pope Alexander II
against simony
. Beginning in 1075, he became involved in the campaign against lay investiture being waged by Pope Gregory VII
against the Emperor Henry IV. He was looked upon as a mediator in the dispute. He was, however, unable to maintain the peace, but still worked at a resolution. In August 1077, he negotiated a reconciliation between emperor and pope and maintained his own good terms with the Holy See. In March 1078, he received a letter from the pope asking him to work further for the establishment of peace. He died in 1078 while besieging Tübingen with an imperial army. He was eventually buried in Trier Cathedral.
Investiture Controversy
The Investiture Controversy or Investiture Contest was the most significant conflict between Church and state in medieval Europe. In the 11th and 12th centuries, a series of Popes challenged the authority of European monarchies over control of appointments, or investitures, of church officials such...
.
Udo was born in Tübingen
Tübingen
Tübingen is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, on a ridge between the Neckar and Ammer rivers.-Geography:...
, Swabia
Duchy of Swabia
Swabia was one of the five stem duchies of the medieval German kingdom, and its dukes were thus among the most powerful magnates of Germany.-History:...
, as the eldest son of Count Eberhard of Nellenburg. After the murder of Archbishop Cuno I of Trier, a foreigner, in early June 1066, the cathedral chapter elected Udo, one of their number to replace him.
In 1067, Udo received priestly consecration. Udo became a leading German voice in the campaign of Pope Alexander II
Pope Alexander II
Pope Alexander II , born Anselmo da Baggio, was Pope from 1061 to 1073.He was born in Milan. As bishop of Lucca he had been an energetic coadjutor with Hildebrand of Sovana in endeavouring to suppress simony, and to enforce the celibacy of the clergy...
against simony
Simony
Simony is the act of paying for sacraments and consequently for holy offices or for positions in the hierarchy of a church, named after Simon Magus , who appears in the Acts of the Apostles 8:9-24...
. Beginning in 1075, he became involved in the campaign against lay investiture being waged by Pope Gregory VII
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...
against the Emperor Henry IV. He was looked upon as a mediator in the dispute. He was, however, unable to maintain the peace, but still worked at a resolution. In August 1077, he negotiated a reconciliation between emperor and pope and maintained his own good terms with the Holy See. In March 1078, he received a letter from the pope asking him to work further for the establishment of peace. He died in 1078 while besieging Tübingen with an imperial army. He was eventually buried in Trier Cathedral.