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The History of St. Norbert
by J.C. Kirkfleet, O. Praem.; 1916, B. Herder, London
Schisma Anacleti quando Norberte! coerces,
Clara tibi comitem vallis amica dedit.
Innocui papae parses meliusne tueri
In mundo quis, quam Lilium, apisque, queat?
When Norbert was engaged in suppressing the schism of Peter di Leone, Clairvaux offered him as helper
St. Bernard.
Who, of all men, were more able to defend the cause of
Pope Innocent than these two Saints?
While nearly the whole Catholic world recognized Innocent as the rightful pastor of the Church, Anacletus, with all his power and the influence of his wealth, had managed to remain master in the Eternal City. Roger, Duke of Sicily, who was ambitious to wear the royal crown, and William, Count of Poitou and Duke of Aquitaine, both recognized his authority, for which they were naturally amply repaid by Anacletus. Thus the latter had even given to Roger the hand of his sister in marriage, adding by this to his domains the principality of Capua and the lordship of Naples. One of the biographers of St. Bernard observes that Anacletus had promised the pontifical sanction to his election to the kingdom of Sicily and Italy, in return for Roger's formal engagement to lend a helping hand against the pretensions of Innocent. "It is even asserted," he continues, "from some documents found in Roger's papers, "that, in order to attach the kingdom of Sicily more "closely to the cause of the Holy See, the schismatical pope promised him the dignity of patrician of Rome, and, perhaps, even the crown of the German Empire." [C-6-1]
But Pope Innocent, relying on the promises of King Lothaire, which were communicated to him through Norbert at the Council of Rheims, namely, that Lothaire was ready to open the campaign in Italy with all the forces of his Empire, set out for Rome in the company of St. Bernard, hoping to be able at last to put an end to the schism. In the words of one of the oldest chroniclers, this was the situation: "Anacletus occupied the seat of authority, Innocent had with him the churches; the former was master of Rome, the latter reigned over the Catholic world." [C-6-2]
Says the biographer of St. Bernard, however:
"This critical state of affairs in Germany was far from justifying the ostentatious promises of Lothaire. Obstacles arose on every side to his Italian campaign . . . The princes of the empire, whose esteem Lothaire had not been able to gain, remained shut up in their capitals, in displeasure at the decay of the German Empire and thus testifying their disapprobation of the enterprise which they considered to be ill-timed, and beyond the power of Lothaire to accomplish." [C-6-3]
Norbert, who by this time had returned to Germany, had been instructed by the Holy Father to use his influence to strengthen the King in his resolve to send an army. Moreover, it must also be observed that Lothaire's expedition into Italy had another object besides giving assistance to the Pope. Innocent had promised to crown Lothaire Emperor as soon as Rome and the church of the Lateran would be in his possession, and "Lothaire was aware that the imperial crown alone could strengthen his tottering authority in Germany, and enhance the majesty of his throne in the eyes of the German princes." [C-6-4]
Thus we might say that Lothaire at last undertook the perilous expedition, by the persuasion of Norbert, and through personal ambition. His vassals having refused him their assistance, he succeeded with infinite difficulty in collecting an army of from fifteen hundred to two thousand men. On Easter Sunday of the year 1132 (April 10), he solemnly announced his determination to undertake the expedition, and confided the care of the kingdom to Henry, Duke of Bavaria. He further commanded the army to meet at Wurzburg, and when Norbert gave his consent to accompany the King into Italy, Lothaire appointed him his Chancellor, since this office was vacant on account of the death of the Archbishop of Cologne. [C-6-5]
At first the Saint had refused the honor on account of failing health. Worn out by austerities of more than seventeen years, by hard missionary labors, and not the least by the numerous hardships endured by him during his episcopate, Norbert now began to feel that his earthly career was drawing to a close. However, when both King Lothaire and Pope Innocent insisted on his coming, and convinced him that his presence was necessary for the welfare of the Church, the Saint finally yielded. It is to be noted here that the last years of Norbert's life, to his great credit, were entirely spent for the welfare of the Church in general. Might we not infer from this fact that conditions in his own diocese were such that his presence was no longer absolutely required to insure regularity?
King Lothaire, surrounded by his Court and many Prelates of the Church, met his army at Wurzburg, and celebrated the feast of the Assumption. From here the army went to Augsburg, where they arrived on the 27th of August, 1132, and, says a contemporary author, Norbert's first visit was to the Cathedral. As was his wont, on entering, he knelt at the threshold and said: "Peace be to this house and to all who dwell therein." Scarcely had he said these words when he turned to his deacon and said: "Brother, I have prayed for peace in behalf of this place and wished for it; but I have seen that peace has not been received. Take good care of my pallium and all the things I have entrusted to you, for the inhabitants will soon be in arms, and there will be a great confusion in the city." [C-6-6]
These prophetic words of Norbert were soon fulfilled, for when, on the next morning, the citizens offered resistance to the royal troops, a sanguinary battle ensued, and but for Norbert's prompt action, even the life of their venerable Bishop Hermann would not have been spared. [C-6-7] In less than two hours the greater part of the city was reduced to ashes and the king's army dispersed in all directions; and what was far worse, when, with the greatest difficulty the army had been reassembled, many of the soldiers looked upon this catastrophe as a bad omen, and refused to continue the expedition. On this occasion especially did Norbert make use of his power of eloquence, and so effectually convinced the soldiers of the greatness of the cause for which they were going to fight and of the sure protection from above, that with renewed courage they continued their march.
During this interval, Innocent had gone to Italy in the company of St. Bernard, to await there the army of Lothaire. Their unexpected arrival, added to the news of the expedition of Lothaire, made a deep impression upon the Italians; and whilst the adherents of Conrad and Anacletus maintained a prudent reserve—the partisans of Innocent and Lothaire took fresh courage. St. Bernard, in obedience to the Pope's orders, went preaching peace in the principal cities of Lombardy, and was so successful that under the footsteps of St. Bernard, as the prophet expresses it, "The valleys were filled, the mountains were brought low, the ways were made plain, and the crooked ways straight."
The army meanwhile had reached Milan, where shortly before, Lothaire's great opponent and competitor, Conrad, had received the royal crown. But Conrad, who had learned that Lothaire was on his way to Italy with a numerous army, and believed the rumor, went back to Germany, says Otto of Frisingen, to hide his shame. [C-6-8]
Between Plaisance and Cremona is the plain of Roncaglia, where at last the king, anxiously awaited by Pope Innocent, arrived. where Innocent and Lothaire, after deliberating with their trusted advisers, Norbert and Bernard, on the best means of bringing the expedition to a successful issue, decided that the Pope should go along the seacoast of Viterbo, while the troops should continue their march by a different route. The details which now follow are entirely new to history [C-6-9], and based on a biography of St. Norbert, recently published in Germany. King Lothaire made a halt along the shore of Lake Bolsena, in a place called Valentano, and Pope Innocent was resting not far from there at Viterbo. This was in March, 1133.
Anacletus, who had been struck with fear when told of Lothaire's approach, and who, besides, was at that moment in no position to defend himself, contrived to gain by cunning and delay what he was unable to obtain by force. He sent an embassy to Lothaire in order to gain time, and endeavored by promises and even by offering a sum of money, to gain him to his cause. Acting upon the advice and under the influence of Norbert, the king scarcely listened to the ambassadors, who, consequently, wholly failed in their mission. Anacletus then devised another scheme, which apparently seemed honest and just. He admitted that his own election was doubtful, but added that neither was the election of Innocent unquestionable, and that therefore a competent tribunal, where both parties could be heard, should decide the question. [C-6-10]
This appeal at once impressed the King, who did not at first stop to consider the motives of Anacletus. Fortunately, however, Norbert was still with Lothaire and prevailed on him to suspend judgment until Pope Innocent had been heard from. Without losing a moment Norbert set out at once for Viterbo to take counsel with the Holy Father and St. Bernard. The latter refers to this incident in his letter to the Bishops of Aquitaine, in the following words:
"But now they demand judgment, which they ought to have waited for (expectasse) before acting. When that proposition was made to them at the proper time, they rejected it; they do this now only to appear to have right on their side, if you refuse it in your turn; and if you accept it, they hope that during the process, time may be gained by delays . . . This is a trap . . ." (CXXVI.)
Many of the Pope's friends and advisers opposed the scheme with all their might, but Norbert saw a great opportunity of exposing the ambition of the anti-pope by accepting the proposal. The Holy Father was of the same opinion, and thus consented to appear before the king's tribunal at the place and time appointed. [C-6-11]
That which Norbert had foreseen now soon came to pass. Anacletus had counted on a haughty refusal on the part of Innocent, and thus was embarrassed when the latter consented. He tried to have recourse to his former policy of postponing things in order to gain time, and of humoring King Lothaire by vain promises. However, public opinion could no longer fail to recognize the personal ambition of Anacletus; those who had been wavering, now admiring the noble conduct of Innocent, went over to his party. [C-6-12]
King Lothaire himself, seeing clearly the drift of the intrigues of Anacletus, now lost all patience and marched his army to Rome, concentrating his men on a hill called "Mons Latronum." The Romans, in consternation, and destitute of succor, were unable to defend themselves; and in their perplexity sent an embassy of peace to Lothaire to disarm his vengeance, and to offer him admission into their city. Lothaire thus entered Rome on the 14th of April, 1133, [C-6-13] without meeting any opposition, and mustered his troops on the Aventine Hill, while the Pope took up his abode in the palace of the Lateran. As to the anti-pope, continues the biographer of St. Bernard, he did not hazard an attempt at resistance. He retired to the Castle of St. Angelo with his adherents, and remained master of that quarter of St. Peter's, which he surrounded with fortifications and barricades. Anacletus did not fail to see how great a check his cause would receive, in case Lothaire were to be crowned Emperor by Pope Innocent; for this reason he persistently refused to vacate St. Peter's, where coronations had always taken place. He moreover again manifested a desire of entering into a negotiation with Lothaire, but the latter, in concert with the Pope, "sent to him St. Bernard and St. Norbert, the Archbishop." [C-6-14] But the two servants of God found the antipope so hardened in pride, that they soon gave up all effort at reconciliation.
Norbert, having tried in vain to make Anacletus realize the hopelessness of his cause, and to vacate St. Peter's, now endeavored to induce Lothaire to be satisfied if his coronation took place in the Church of the Lateran instead of in St. Peter 's. Although Lothaire feared that his enemies would find in this an excuse to declare his coronation of no value, yet under the circumstances he considered it best to consent, and Norbert at once informed Pope Innocent to this effect. "But to Norbert's great disappointment the Pope refused, for the condition agreed upon for the coronation was, that Anacletus should be driven from Rome, and Innocent placed on the pontifical throne." [C-6-15] However, Norbert in his capacity as Chancellor of the King, used his diplomacy, and at last succeeded in convincing the Pope of the reasonableness of the demand. Since Lothaire's present army was too small to carry out his plans, the Pope was satisfied with the king's promise to return later to Rome with a larger force. Finally, preparations were made for the solemn coronation of Lothaire, on the 4th of June, in the Church of the Lateran.
When the rumor of these coming events reached the ears of Anacletus and his adherents, they at once realized their importance and were furious with rage. Seeing that this coronation would be their ruin, they did all in their power to stir up the populace of Rome and prevent, if possible, the proceedings. The result of their agitation was that on the day of the coronation, in the midst of the solemnities, a large number of disturbers tried to invade the sacred edifice and prevent Innocent from crowning Lothaire. Not without the greatest difficulty did the soldiers of the King succeed in keeping the crowd at a distance, and prevent them from committing murder and sacrilege. However, at the altar the coronation went on undisturbed, and the Pope solemnly placed on the head of Lothaire the crown of Charlemagne. His Holiness likewise crowned the Empress Richenza. Baronius speaks of the oath which the new Emperor took before God and His Vicar, to defend the Church and the Pope, to protect the possessions of the Holy See and to recover those that had been usurped. [C-6-16]
The author of the first manuscript life of St. Norbert, having chronicled these events, then describes an incident which was as unexpected as it was compromising, especially for our Saint.
"Lothaire now being crowned Emperor, had the bad taste to ask at this particular time, that the Holy Father grant him, for the honor of the empire and the stability of the compact which he had made with him, the privilege of Investiture.'' [C-6-17]
Strange inconsistency on the part of a monarch who but a moment before swore on the Holy Gospels to defend at all times the rights of the Pope and the Bishops! All present, and even the Pope himself, were staggered by this bold request. But before anyone present had time to raise his voice in protest to this most pretentious demand, Norbert arose, and in the presence of the Emperor, whose Chancellor he was, and of a number of German Officers, fearlessly addressed the Holy Father in these words:
"What do you mean to do, O Father? To whom would you deliver the sheep entrusted to your care, to be torn to pieces? The Church which you have received in freedom, will you reduce her again to slavery? The Chair of St. Peter requires actions worthy of Peter. I have promised obedience indeed to Blessed Peter and You in the name of Christ; but if you accede to the demands now made upon you I declare in the presence of the whole Church that I gainsay you, and will oppose the measure you will take." [C-6-18]
The eyes of all were Fixed upon Norbert, as he thus boldly spoke, and stood in their midst like a messenger from God speaking with authority. However, his was the last word spoken in this unfortunate affair, for the Emperor dared no longer urge his unreasonable request, nor had the Pope any desire of making so culpable a concession. The same author continues:
"For Lothaire, feared God . . . and loved Norbert as a man sent from heaven, by whose advice he had oftentimes been guided, and from whom he daily received the Word of God."
Thus did God on this day protect His Church from a great calamity, through His servant Norbert, and Pope Innocent himself was the first to shower upon our Saint numerous tokens of heartfelt gratitude. There still exists a Bull of Pope Innocent, dated June 4, the very day of the coronation, addressed to Norbert, and in it we read:
"The Roman and Apostolic Church has, in consequence of unmistakable signs, favorably approved of your ardent devotion and energy in her times of trial. Since the time it pleased Divine Providence to call Us, notwithstanding Our unworthiness and insufficiency, to the administration of the Holy See, an admirable devotedness has shown forth more and more in your person; and the constancy of your faith and piety has become renowned not only among the people near you, but even among the most remote nations. For neither have infirmities nor promises nor threats prevented you from placing yourself as an unassailable wall against the tyranny of Peter Leonis, nor from working effectively in gaining over the King and other princes to the obedience of St. Peter . . . " [C-6-19]
Truly a magnificent testimony to the work done by our saintly Archbishop in the great struggle of the Papacy! And to further reward Norbert for the great services done in the interest of religion, Pope Innocent by this same document raised Norbert to the dignity of Primate of Germany. [C-6-20]
Thus was peace again restored to the Church, and the two great powers, Church and State, were once more consolidated. Innocent, for the moment at least, resided in Rome, and Lothaire had been crowned Emperor, protesting his fidelity to the cause of Innocent. The Emperor decided to leave at once the Eternal City with his troops, and recrossing the Alps he returned into Germany, in order to set before the eyes of the princes of the empire the glorious advantages he had gained. On the 8th of September he reached Wurzburg, where the Sovereigns of Germany, who were in astonishment at the almost miraculous success of his intrepid undertaking, encircled him with their homage. Fortune having favored his arms, they all magnified his valor; and his most implacable enemies dared not disturb the unanimous concert of applause. Norbert, who at this time seems to have been very delicate in health, for he had suffered much from the Italian climate, was with the Emperor on his return journey.
Among those who had come to Wurzburg to welcome the Emperor were the newly elected bishops of Augsburg and Regensburg. The latter had been consecrated without the knowledge of Lothaire, which was not in accordance with the decisions of the Concordat of Worms. Norbert, however, used his influence with the Emperor and succeeded in inducing him to confirm this election. This, no doubt, meant a great sacrifice for Lothaire, especially since the new appointment had come about through the influence of his competitor, Conrad; but Lothaire yielded for the sake of peace for the Church. [C-6-20]
In order to show how Norbert, notwithstanding his numerous occupations of a worldly nature, remained nevertheless a man of true humility and prayer, a miraculous incident is related by the different biographers, which occurred in Rome when the army was about to undertake its return journey. One of the soldiers was possessed by the evil spirit, and before leaving Rome his companions brought him before the Holy Father, and entreated him to deliver their comrade from this woeful torment. But Pope Innocent sent the men to Norbert, whom they found in the church, humbly praying before the altar. Deeply moved at the sight of the sick man, he said to them: "Let us all with a humble and contrite heart approach the Lord, and beseech Him to be merciful to this unfortunate man." All immediately began to pray, and the Saint remained in supplication from noon until evening, and finally obtained through the prayers of all, the deliverance of the possessed soldier; "for in the evening, with a fearful noise the evil spirit left him." The man fell exhausted into the arms of his companions, but after a refreshing sleep completely recovered his former strength. The Saint then exhorted him to make his confession, and prescribed for him, both as a penance for his past sins and as an act of thanksgiving for his deliverance, to abstain for a number of days from a certain kind of food, remarking that if he dared break these rules of abstinence, he would certainly fall back into the same misfortune. The soldier returned with the army to Germany, and there, having broken the rules laid down by the Saint, became again possessed by Satan. They brought him again before Norbert, and he was for a second time released through the mercies of God and the ministry of the Saint. [C-6-22]
<<Start of Footnotes for Chapter C-6>>
[C-6-1]
Cfr. ``The Life and Times of St. Bernard," by Mons. L'Abbe Ratisbonne, p. 174.
[C-6-2]
Hugo "Sacrae Antiq. Monum." I. Chron. fr. Balduini Ninov., p. 165.
[C-6-3]
Ratisbonne, op. cit., p. 189.
[C-6-4]
Ibidem, p. 190.
[C-6-5]
Upon this matter, says S. J. Eales, op. cit., General Preface, p. 43, there is a letter of the Emperor Lothaire in the Spicilegium, vol. VI, in which Norbert, Archbishop of' Magdeburg, has the title of' Chancellor. Returning to Magdeburg after his visit to France, Norbert had been present at the election of' the new Archbishop of' Cologne. First, Godfrey, who afterwards entered the abbey of Steiniteldt, had been elected, but was prevailed upon to make room for Bruno, whom St. Bernard in letter VIII refers to St. Norbert for advice. According to Hugo, the bishop-elect at this time was in a monastery preparing himself for his consecration and hence unable to accompany the King. Cfr. Hugo, op. cit., p. 329.
[C-6-6]
Acta SS. XX. Anacleta Norb. Append. fratr. Cappenb., p. 846.
[C-6-7]
VandenElsen, p. 327, asys that the venerable bishop had been thrown out into the street during the night, and Norbert found him and cared for him.
[C-6-8]
Cfr. Tenckhoff, p. 16-38; Otto, Frising. VII, 18.
[C-6-9]
Madelaine, p. 430. Cr. Muhlbacher "Researches on the Schism of 1130" (Innsbruck, 1877), who points out several errors in the details of the Life of Pertz. Vita A.
[C-6-10]
Cfr. Madelaine, op. cit., p. 431, who quotes Vita A, Ch. XXI.
[C-6-11]
Ibidem. Cum adversus Norbertum disputaretur summum Pontificem hominis judicio subdi . . . non oportere, papa Innocentius . . . se exposuit in captivitatem perpetuam detrudendum, si non loco et tempore sibi constituto . . . se presentaret. Further, see "Sententia Lotharii in Anacletum." (Pertz Legum II, p. 81.)
[C-6-12]
Vita A. Ibidem. "Inde accidit ut tergiversatio Petri Leonis circa papatum rugientis frustaretur . . ." Cfr. Also Litterae Lotharti, 1. c.
[C-6-13]
This date differs from that given by Ratisbonne, who again differs from Otto of Frisingen. That their dates must be incorrect, subsequent events will prove.
[C-6-14]
Cfr. Ratisbonne, op. cit., p. 197.
[C-6-15]
VandenElsen. op. cit., p. 335.
[C-6-16]
Baronius XVIII, p. 488. Pertz "Legum," II, p. 81. Thero is still in the palace of the Lateran a painting on which is represented Lothaire receiving the crown from the hands of Pope Innocent.
[C-6-17]
Vita A, Ch. XXI. This same demand had been made by Lothaire at Liege two years before, but without success.
[C-6-18]
Ibidem. In medium procedens, presente imperatore cum multo milite "Quid," inquit "Pater agis?" . . .
[C-6-19]
Cfr. Muhlbacher in his "Die streitige Papatwahl des Jahres 1130" (Innsbruck 1876). Also Acta SS. T. XX. Append, p. 50.
[C-6-20]
In regard to this Primacy of Norbert see Madelaine, p. 438. He quotes Acta SS. T. XX. p. 914. Append. 46-62. "De Primatu Germaniae Magdeburgensis Ecclesiae . . . Cfr. also DuPre Ann. breves Ann. 1133 "Peter Norbertus . . . accipit laborum praemium ab Innocentio Germaniae ecclesiarum Primatiam."
[C-6-21]
Cfr. VandenElsen, op. cit., p. 344.
[C-6-22]
Vita A, Ch XXI.
