- Adalbert of Hamburg
Adalbert of Hamburg-Bremen (also Albert; c. 1000 –
March 16 ,1072 ) was a German prelate, who wasArchbishop of Bremen -Hamburg from 1043 until his death. He is also known as Adalbert I of Saxony.Adalbert was the son of Count
Friedrich von Goseck , a political figure of theHoly Roman Empire ,papal legate , "Vikar des Nordens", one of the regents of Emperor Henry IV.Adalbert became
subdeacon to the Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen in 1032, later provost of theHalberstadt Cathedral, andArchbishop of Hamburg-Bremen in 1043 or 1045 with supremacy over theScandinavian Peninsula and a great part of the Wend lands, and all territory north of theElbe .Having accompanied the Emperor Henry III on a
christianization campaign in 1045, he also journeyed with him toRome in 1046.Adam of Bremen rumours Adalbert to have refused a candidacy aspope , resulting in the election ofClement II , to continue with the conversion of the Wends.Adalbert worked to increase the influence of his patriarchate, and thereby also the influence of the
Holy Roman Empire , but met resistance from theScandinavia n kings who preferred to receive bishops consecrated inCanterbury , then under Danish influence. KingSweyn II of Denmark appealed to the Emperor and toPope Leo IX for an archbishop of his own, which would mean a loss to Hamburg of lands just yielding fruits after two hundred years of Christianization. The whole discussion was cut short by the death of both Pope (1054) and Emperor (1056).Subsequently, Adalbert lost his hold on the imperial court, and the young Emperor, Henry IV, fell under the influence of the Archbishop
Anno of Cologne . However, Adalbert gained control of Henry's education, eventually superseding Anno in his confidence and esteem, but again forced to retire from court in 1066–1069.Archbishop Adalbert is characterized by
Adam of Bremen as:Generous, prudent, and zealous as he was, his character was marred by indomitable pride, which has caused him to be depicted in the blackest colours.
He died at
Goslar in 1072.###@@@KEY@@@###
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.