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From The Lives of the Popes from the Time of our Saviour Jesus Christ to the Accession of Gregory VII. Written Originally in Latin by B. Platina, Native of Cremona, and translated into English (from an anonymous translation, first printed in 1685 by Sir Paul Rycaut), Edited by William Benham, Volume I, London: Griffith, Farran, Okeden & Welsh, [1888, undated in text]; pp. 280-281.

The Lives of the Popes,
BY
B. Platina

Volume I.


[280]

ALEXANDER  II.

A.D. 1061-1073.

ALEXANDER the Second, whose name at first was Anselm, a Milanese, Bishop of Lucca, upon the death of Nicolas, though absent, was, for his good temper, affability, and learning, elected Pope. But the bishops of Lombardy thinking, for the honour of their country, that it was just a Pope should be chosen out of their number, Gilbert of Parma, at that time very powerful, taking their part vigorously, they obtained of the Emperor Henry, against the mind of his mother Agnes, that they might set up another Pope. Whereupon the bishops, holding a council, made one Cadolus Pope, who was Bishop of Parma, to whom all Lombardy straightway submitted, except Matilda, a noble lady who had great reverence for the Roman see. Cadolus being soon after called to Rome by the adversaries of Alexander, both parties engaged in battle in the Prati di Nerone at the foot of the Hill Montorio, in which fight many were slain on both sides. Alexander and Godfrey, the husband of Matilda, stayed in the Lateran Palace, not knowing where to trust themselves, all places were so full of treachery; though some say that Alexander, to avoid the bloody fight, did before the battle retire to Lucca, and lived there securely for some time, which kind protection from the Luccheses he gratefully acknowledged by granting both to their church and city very notable privileges. Cadolus was repulsed at Rome, but rested not long at quiet in his country, being invited again by some citizens (who found that to satisfy their avarice it was their interest that the city should be kept in confusion), and getting together a greater army than before, he comes to Rome and by force seizes the Citta Leonina and St Peter’s Church. But the Romans, with the forces of Godfrey, falling forth, struck such a sudden terror into the enemy that they betook themselves to their heels, and Cadolus narrowly missed being taken, having been forsaken by his friends, but Cincius, son to the prefect of Rome, with a strong squadron carried him safe through the whole adverse army with great difficulty into Castle St Angelo; where being besieged for some time and seeing little hope of getting out free, he corrupted the besiegers with three hundred pounds of silver, and mounting a lean horse he escaped all alone. In 281 the meanwhile Hanno, Archbishop of Cologne, before Henry, the young emperor, charged his mother Agnes with meddling too much with the affairs of state in Christendom to the great dishonour of the Empire, whereupon a commission was given him to compose the Church divisions according to his discretion; and he, coming to Rome, at first rebuked Alexander with very hard words, for entering upon the Papacy without the consent of the Emperor, contrary to law and custom; but Archdeacon Hildebrand took him up and stiffly defended what the Pope had done, proving that both by law and ancient usage the election of Popes belonged to the clergy, and convinced Hanno so far, that the Emperor Henry, being at last conscious of his error, desired Alexander to call a council, and promised to come thither himself. The city of Mantua was pitched upon as most fit; and thither every one came who was concerned for the safety and protection of the Church; where all things being settled, the Emperor himself not only got the favour of the Pope, but begged and obtained of him a pardon for Cadolus who submitted to him, and for Gilbert, the author (as we said) of all this mischief, the Archbishopric of Ravenna: the first of these the Pope easily agreed to, by the example of our Saviour who even prayed for His persecutors; but the second he granted much against his will, and not till tired with the importunity of Henry, fearing, what fell out afterwards, that it would be very pernicious for the Church of Rome. The Pope, departing from Mantua and passing through Lucca, consecrated the great church there, of which he had been bishop, with great solemnity, intending to stay there till Archdeacon Hildebrand had settled matters a little in Apulia, who having received some auxiliary forces of the Countess Matilda, not only opposed the power of Richard and William, but forced them to restore what they had taken from the Church: and then Alexander came to the city, and after a pontificate of eleven years and six months, he died, and was buried in the church of St John, in the Lateran, no manner of pomp being spared (that could be at the funeral of a Pope), either by the clergy or people. In his time flourished John Gualbertus, a monk of Vallombrosa, and first of the order, a most holy man and famous for miracles.

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