Baldwin, Archbishop of Pisa
Encyclopedia
Baldwin was a Cistercian monk and later Archbishop of Pisa, a correspondent of Bernard of Clairvaux
, and a reformer of the Republic of Pisa
. Throughout his episcopate, he greatly expanded the authority of his diocese, making it the most powerful institution in Liguria
and Sardinia
, and notably increased its landholdings.
Pope Innocent II
named Baldwin a cardinal-priest
of Santa Maria in Trastevere
no later than in 1137, when he appears for the first time in this dignity. Later that year, he was in the Mezzogiorno
, probably in the trail of the Emperor Lothair II. According to Peter the Deacon
, he and a son of Pier Leoni
(filium Petri Leonis) were at Montecassino to pacify a revolt when, in July, he participated in a debate over the rule of Cassinese monasticism in the presence of the emperor.
He was then elected to succeed Uberto
as archbishop of his native city and, as the pope was then living there in exile, was consecrated by Innocent himself.
In a letter of 22 April 1138, Innocent conferred on Baldwin the apostolic legateship over Porto Torres
, Populania, Galtelli
, and Civita
on Sardinia. On 19 July 1139, at the exhortation of Bernard of Clarivaux and Otto of Freising
, the emperor-elect Conrad III
bestowed on him the countship of Pisa, making him the chief secular as well as ecclesiastical authority in the city and its countryside (contado, "county"). The whole of that year, however, he spent in Logudoro
arranging matters on the island.
From 1140 to 1142, Baldwin was in conflict over the comnital rights in and around Pisa. From 1138, he had been in a war with the Diocese of Lucca over jurisdiction. He was captured and freed, upon which he conquered the castrum Aghinolgum (Montignoso
).
On 10 November 1144, Baldwin sent aid to Gonario II of Torres
in a war against Comita II of Arborea
. In 1145, he was created apostolic legate over all Sardinia
and Corsica
. He established the legatine seat in Torres, and excommunicating Comita — for oppressing the people and warring against Pisa — and transferring to Gonario the supreme secular authority on the island and personal authority in Arborea. Bernard of Clairvaux even weighed into island politics and sent a letter to Pope Eugene III
justifying Baldwin's actions. Baldwin died later that very year and Montignoso was returned to Lucca.
Bernard of Clairvaux
Bernard of Clairvaux, O.Cist was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian order.After the death of his mother, Bernard sought admission into the Cistercian order. Three years later, he was sent to found a new abbey at an isolated clearing in a glen known as the Val...
, and a reformer of the Republic of Pisa
Republic of Pisa
The Republic of Pisa was a de facto independent state centered on the Tuscan city of Pisa during the late tenth and eleventh centuries. It rose to become an economic powerhouse, a commercial center whose merchants dominated Mediterranean and Italian trade for a century before being surpassed and...
. Throughout his episcopate, he greatly expanded the authority of his diocese, making it the most powerful institution in Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
and Sardinia
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
, and notably increased its landholdings.
Pope Innocent II
Pope Innocent II
Pope Innocent II , born Gregorio Papareschi, was pope from 1130 to 1143, and was probably one of the clergy in personal attendance on the antipope Clement III .-Early years:...
named Baldwin a cardinal-priest
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
of Santa Maria in Trastevere
Santa Maria in Trastevere
The Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere is a titular minor basilica, one of the oldest churches in Rome, and perhaps the first in which mass was openly celebrated...
no later than in 1137, when he appears for the first time in this dignity. Later that year, he was in the Mezzogiorno
Mezzogiorno
The Midday is a wide definition, without any administrative usage, used to indicate the southern half of the Italian state, encompassing the southern section of the continental Italian Peninsula and the two major islands of Sicily and Sardinia, in addition to a large number of minor islands...
, probably in the trail of the Emperor Lothair II. According to Peter the Deacon
Peter the Deacon
Peter the Deacon was the librarian of the abbey of Montecassino and continuator of the Chronicon Monasterii Casinensis, usually called the Montecassino Chronicle in English. The chronicle was originally written by Leo of Ostia...
, he and a son of Pier Leoni
Pier Leoni
Pier Leoni was the son of the Jewish convert Leo de Benedicto and founder of the great and important medieval Roman family of the Pierleoni. He was called the Jewish Crassus by Gregorovius....
(filium Petri Leonis) were at Montecassino to pacify a revolt when, in July, he participated in a debate over the rule of Cassinese monasticism in the presence of the emperor.
He was then elected to succeed Uberto
Uberto, Archbishop of Pisa
Uberto Lanfranchi was the Cardinal-deacon of Santa Maria in Via Lata , then the Cardinal-priest of San Clemente , and finally the Archbishop of Pisa Uberto Lanfranchi (or Humbert) (died 1137) was the Cardinal-deacon of Santa Maria in Via Lata (appointed by Pope Calixtus II no later than 1123),...
as archbishop of his native city and, as the pope was then living there in exile, was consecrated by Innocent himself.
In a letter of 22 April 1138, Innocent conferred on Baldwin the apostolic legateship over Porto Torres
Porto Torres
Porto Torres is a comune and city in northern Sardinia, in the Province of Sassari.It is situated on the north coast about 25 km east of the Gorditanian promontory , and on the spacious bay of the Gulf of Asinara.-History:...
, Populania, Galtelli
Galtellì
Galtellì is a comune in the Province of Nuoro in the Italian region Sardinia, located about 140 km northeast of Cagliari and about 25 km northeast of Nuoro...
, and Civita
Civita
Civita is a Norwegian liberal think tank which gains support from, among others, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise. In the beginning, it was led by Terje Svabø, but prominent Conservative Party politician Kristin Clemet took over on November 16, 2006 after having central roles in many...
on Sardinia. On 19 July 1139, at the exhortation of Bernard of Clarivaux and Otto of Freising
Otto of Freising
Otto von Freising was a German bishop and chronicler.-Life:He was the fifth son of Leopold III, margrave of Austria, by his wife Agnes, daughter of the emperor Henry IV...
, the emperor-elect 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:...
bestowed on him the countship of Pisa, making him the chief secular as well as ecclesiastical authority in the city and its countryside (contado, "county"). The whole of that year, however, he spent in Logudoro
Logudoro
The Logudoro is a large traditional region in central-northern Sardinia, Italy. The local dialect is known as Logudorese.Mostly composed of soft volcanic terrains, it is the most fertile area of the island. For this reason it was settled since early Prehistoric times, as shown by the presence of...
arranging matters on the island.
From 1140 to 1142, Baldwin was in conflict over the comnital rights in and around Pisa. From 1138, he had been in a war with the Diocese of Lucca over jurisdiction. He was captured and freed, upon which he conquered the castrum Aghinolgum (Montignoso
Montignoso
Montignoso is a comune in the Province of Massa-Carrara in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 90 km northwest of Florence and about 3 km southeast of Massa....
).
On 10 November 1144, Baldwin sent aid to Gonario II of Torres
Gonario II of Torres
Gonario II was the giudice of Logudoro from the death of his father to his own abdication in 1154. He was a son of Constantine I and Marcusa de Gunale. He was born between 1113 and 1114 according to later sources and the Camaldolese church of S...
in a war against Comita II of Arborea
Comita II of Arborea
Comita II was the giudice of the Giudicato of Arborea, from 1131 until his death. He was the son of Gonario, first ruler of Arborea of the Lacon dynasty. Married Elena de Orrubu, mother of Barison II of Arborea. The dating and chronology of his reign are obscure.Comita succeeded his elder...
. In 1145, he was created apostolic legate over all Sardinia
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
and Corsica
Corsica
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
. He established the legatine seat in Torres, and excommunicating Comita — for oppressing the people and warring against Pisa — and transferring to Gonario the supreme secular authority on the island and personal authority in Arborea. Bernard of Clairvaux even weighed into island politics and sent a letter to Pope Eugene III
Pope Eugene III
Pope Blessed Eugene III , born Bernardo da Pisa, was Pope from 1145 to 1153. He was the first Cistercian to become Pope.-Early life:...
justifying Baldwin's actions. Baldwin died later that very year and Montignoso was returned to Lucca.
Sources
- Ghisalberti, Alberto M. (ed) Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani: V Bacca – Baratta. Rome, 1963.