Pope Lucius II
Callixtus II | |
---|---|
Personal details | |
Born | Gherardo Caccianemici dal Orso |
Died | Rome, Papal States, Holy Roman Empire | 15 February 1145
Other popes named Lucius |
Pope Lucius II (died 15 February 1145), born Gherardo Caccianemici dal Orso, was head of the
Early life
Gherardo Caccianemici dal Orso, the son of Orso Caccianemici
In 1130 he was again appointed legate to Germany by
Pontificate
Relations with England and Portugal
Lucius was involved in the usual running of church business throughout medieval
Early in his reign, Lucius received a request from prominent members of the town of
Meanwhile, in
Finally, the city of Corneto, formally belonging to the Papal States, was restored to the papacy during Lucius’ pontificate by a formal deed on 20 November 1144.[10]
Conflict with Roger II of Sicily
Although Lucius had been the friend of King
Emergence of the Roman Commune
This surrender on the part of Lucius II gave an opportunity for members of the Roman Senate to reassert their ancient independence and authority and to erect a revolutionary republic at Rome which sought to deprive the pope of his temporal power. The principal groups involved in this movement were the merchants and artisans, while the urban nobility kept their neutrality.[7]
The Senate, which practically took all temporal power from the pope during the pontificate of Innocent II, had been managed with considerable skill and firmness by Lucius at the beginning of his pontificate, convincing many senators to either leave the Capitoline Hill or to lay down their magisterium.[13] Now, encouraged by Lucius II's defeat, the Senate, led by Giordano Pierleoni, brother of the former Antipope Anacletus II, rebelled against Lucius II, driving out the papal prefects[7] and establishing the Commune of Rome.[13] They demanded the pope abandon all governmental duties, and that he would retain only ecclesiastical taxes and voluntary tributes.[7] The Senate took over powers to elect magistrates and strike its own coinage.[14] At first, Lucius asked for Roger II's aid, but Roger, still annoyed that Lucius had not fully recognised his kingship, withheld his assistance.[7] Lucius then turned for help to Conrad, King of the Romans,[12] and on December 1144 wrote to him pleading for military assistance against the Senate and the Patrician Giordano Pierleoni.[13] Lucius was supported by Bernard of Clairvaux, who also wrote to Conrad, asking for him to intervene.[15]
While waiting for Conrad's reply, Lucius decided to take matters into his own hands.
Finally, Lucius marched against the Senatorial positions on the Capitol with a small army. He was driven back by Giordano,[15] and according to Godfrey of Viterbo, he was seriously injured during this battle (by a thrown stone).[15] He did not recover from his injuries and died on 15 February 1145[12] at San Gregorio Magno al Celio, where he was under the protection of the neighbouring Frangipani fortress.[6]
Lucius II was buried at
See also
References
- ^ a b c Mann, pg. 114
- ^ a b c d e f Thomas, pg. 91
- ^ a b c d e f g Levillain, pg. 959
- ^ a b c Mann, pg. 115
- ^ Mann, The Lives of the Popes in the Middle Ages, Vol 8, pg. 256
- ^ a b c d Mann, pg. 119
- ^ a b c d e f g Levillain, pg. 960
- ^ a b Mann, pg. 121
- ^ Mann, pg 122
- ^ a b Mann, pg. 123
- ^ a b c d e Mann, pg. 116
- ^ a b c d Thomas, pg. 92
- ^ a b c Mann, pg. 117
- ISBN 9780099565871.
- ^ a b c d e Mann, pg. 118
- ^ Mann, pg. 113
Sources
- Levillain, Philippe, The Papacy: An Encyclopedia, Vol II: Gaius-Proxies, Routledge, 2002
- Thomas, P. C., A Compact History of the Popes, St Pauls BYB, 2007
- Mann, Horace K., The Lives of the Popes in the Middle Ages, Vol 9 (1925)
- Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. .
- Duffy, Eamon (2001). Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes. Yale University Press. pp. 140–141. ISBN 978-0-300-09165-6.
- Maxwell-Stuart, P. G. (2002). Chronicle of the Popes: The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Papacy from St. Peter to the Present. Thames & Hudson. pp. 95. ISBN 978-0-500-01798-2.