Parents: Orso Caccianemici
Reign: 1144 – 1145
Predecessor: Celestine II
Summary: As with many popes, Gherardo began his life as a canon at the Basilica di San Frediano and then became a cardinal at Santa Croce in 1124. Both of these establishments he remembered in his year as pope because he gave them great gold and silver gifts for their collections. In 1125, Pope Honorius II made him the librarian of Rome and then papal legate to Germany. This rapid-fire succession of positions made his place in the papal hierarchy very apparent. His help in securing the Holy Roman Imperial throne for Lothair III made him famous, and for two years starting in 1128, he virtually controlled the city of Benevento for the Papacy. In 1130, Gherardo was again sent to Germany, this time to request Imperial aide in repelling Antipope Anacletus II. From this time forward, Gherardo was the chief diplomat to Germany, which awarded him the position of papal chancellor, a coveted position that often led to the papacy. And so it did for Gherardo, who was elected as Lucius II on 12 March 1144.
For only serving as pope for a eleven months, Lucius was an eager and successful pope. He reorganized much of the church in England and took the side of Matilda versus Stephen in the Anarchy. He took control of the town of Lucca in Italy then returned it to the people as the town's protector. In Portugal, Afonso I, the first recognized king of the country, sought independence from León via Lucius. Lucius declined the title of king, but accepted its independence and granted him the title of Duke of Portugal. Conflict with Sicily forced Lucius to make an uneven peace with King Roger II. In exchange for a cessation of hostilities, Sicily was granted additional lands. This angered the Roman Senate and they revolted against the Papacy, declaring the Roman Commune. The group demanded that Lucius abandon all government duties in Rome and stick to the ecclesiastical duties. Rome became a battleground, with camps set up across the Roman ruins of the old Forum and Circus Maximus. On the Ides of February, Lucius led a small army against the Senatorial army and was defeated, being injured by a thrown stone in the process. He did not recover and died soon after. His successor, Eugene III, was unable to rule from Rome for most of his reign due to the Commune.
For only serving as pope for a eleven months, Lucius was an eager and successful pope. He reorganized much of the church in England and took the side of Matilda versus Stephen in the Anarchy. He took control of the town of Lucca in Italy then returned it to the people as the town's protector. In Portugal, Afonso I, the first recognized king of the country, sought independence from León via Lucius. Lucius declined the title of king, but accepted its independence and granted him the title of Duke of Portugal. Conflict with Sicily forced Lucius to make an uneven peace with King Roger II. In exchange for a cessation of hostilities, Sicily was granted additional lands. This angered the Roman Senate and they revolted against the Papacy, declaring the Roman Commune. The group demanded that Lucius abandon all government duties in Rome and stick to the ecclesiastical duties. Rome became a battleground, with camps set up across the Roman ruins of the old Forum and Circus Maximus. On the Ides of February, Lucius led a small army against the Senatorial army and was defeated, being injured by a thrown stone in the process. He did not recover and died soon after. His successor, Eugene III, was unable to rule from Rome for most of his reign due to the Commune.
Date of Death: 15 February 1145
Successor: Eugene III
Other Monarchs Who Died Today:
- Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor (1637)
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