Arnold of Selenhofen
Encyclopedia
Arnold of Selenhofen was the archbishop of Mainz from 1153 to his assassination in the benedictine abbey St. Jakob, where he took shelter from the raging crowd.
He was born to a wealthy Mainz family. He studied at the University of Paris
and became the treasurer of the archdiocese of Mainz, then provost of the cathedral
. Conrad III
made him archchancellor
of Germany in 1151 and Frederick Barbarossa made him archbishop in 1153.
His administration of justice was unforgiving. While he was away in Italy working for the recognition of the Antipope Victor IV
in 1159, the leading citizens rebelled. When he returned, he was murdered in front of the monastery of St. Jakob. He was buried in the church of St. Maria ad gradus
(St. Mary of the Steps).
He was born to a wealthy Mainz family. He studied at the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
and became the treasurer of the archdiocese of Mainz, then provost of the cathedral
Mainz Cathedral
Mainz Cathedral or St. Martin's Cathedral is located near the historical center and pedestrianized market square of the city of Mainz, Germany...
. Conrad III
Conrad III of Germany
Conrad III was the first King of Germany of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. He was the son of Frederick I, Duke of Swabia, and Agnes, a daughter of the Salian Emperor Henry IV.-Life and reign:...
made him archchancellor
Archchancellor
An archchancellor or chief chancellor was a title given to the highest dignitary of the Holy Roman Empire, and also used occasionally during the Middle Ages to denote an official who supervised the work of chancellors or notaries....
of Germany in 1151 and Frederick Barbarossa made him archbishop in 1153.
His administration of justice was unforgiving. While he was away in Italy working for the recognition of the Antipope Victor IV
Antipope Victor IV (1159-1164)
Victor IV , born Octavian or Octavianus: Ottaviano dei Crescenzi Ottaviani di Monticelli, was the cardinal priest of Santa Cecilia before he was elected as a Ghibelline antipope in 1159, following the death of Pope Adrian IV and the election of Alexander III...
in 1159, the leading citizens rebelled. When he returned, he was murdered in front of the monastery of St. Jakob. He was buried in the church of St. Maria ad gradus
St. Maria ad Gradus
St. Maria ad Gradus is the name of a former church located East of the Cathedral of Cologne, Germany, situated between the cathedral and the Rhine....
(St. Mary of the Steps).
Literature
- Johann Friedrich BöhmerJohann Friedrich BöhmerJohann Friedrich Böhmer was a German historian. His historical work was chiefly concerned with collecting and tabulating charters and other imperial documents of the Middle Ages.-Biography:...
: Martyrium Arnoldi Archiepiscopi Moguntini. Stuttgart 1853. (Fontes Rerum Germanicarum 3), p. 173-217 - Burkhardt, Stefan, Mit Stab und Schwert. Bilder, Träger und Funktionen erzbischöflicher Herrschaft zur Zeit Kaiser Friedrich Barbarossas. Die Erzbistümer Köln und Mainz im Vergleich (Mittelalter-Forschungen 22), Ostfildern 2008.