The POPE Encyclopedia
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URBAN II
Pope from 1088 to 1099, best known for calling for the First Crusade to capture Jerusalem from Islamic control. Odo of Lagery was born in Chatillon-sur-Marne, the son of nobles. He studied at Reims under the renowned St. Bruno, founder of the Carthusian order. Entering the reforming monastery of Cluny around 1068, he was appointed the cardinal bishop of Ostia and papal legate to Germany by Pope St. Gregory VII (1073- 1085). Known for his eloquence, intelligence, piety, and commitment to continuing the reforms of Gregory, Odo was elected to succeed Victor III, his reign dating from March 12, 1088. His elevation came at a difficult time, for the papacy was still embroiled in the struggle with the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV over the controversy of lay investiture. As part of the conflict with Gregory, Henry had orchestrated the elevation of the antipope Clement III, who was supported at the time of Urban's election by most of the bishops of Germany. Severely impoverished, Urban patiently worked to weaken Clement and was able to take final possession of Rome only in 1093, using some well-placed bribes to win control of the Lateran and Castel Sant'Angelo. Urban used a more realistic approach, which he found helpful in solidifying his position as pope. At the Council of Melfi in 1089 he issued decrees against investiture and simony, at Piacenza in 1095 he advanced more reforms, and at the famous Council of Clermont that same year he proclaimed the Truce of God which sought to prevent bloodshed among the violent knights of the time by curbing fighting and vendettas. In response to urgent appeals for help from the Byzantine emperor Alexius I Comnenos, he called upon all Christians to march to the Holy Land and free Jerusalem. His plea launched a crusading effort that would endure for the next two centuries and have colossal consequences for Western culture. Urban cultivated good relations with the Normans of southern Italy, granting to Roger I of Sicily (d. 1101) the so-called Monarchia Sicula, control over the Church in Sicily, which would last until 1869. In his administration of the Church, Urban brought changes to papal finances and the papal governsment, first coming the term Curia Romania, still used today. Urban died on July 9, 1099. Successor: Paschal II.
THE POPE ENCYCLOPEDIA - Matthew Bunson Published by Crown Trade Paperbacks 201 East 50th Street, New York New York 10022, USA ISBN 0-517-88256-6
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