Bernard degli Uberti
Encyclopedia
Saint Bernard degli Uberti (died December 4, 1133) was an abbot
of Vallombrosa
, a bishop of Parma, papal legate
, and a cardinal
. A member of the noble Uberti
family of Florence
, he became a Vallumbrosan monk
. He became abbot of San Salvi
and was eventually elected the general-superior of the congregation. Pope Urban II
made him a cardinal in 1097, and Bernard also served as bishop of Parma.
Bernard was a supporter of Pope Gregory VII
, and as a result was driven into exile in 1104 by the followers of the antipope
Maginulf (Sylvester IV). Some sources state that he was in fact dragged violently from the altar.
He did not return to Parma
until 1106. However, he was exiled again in 1127 after opposing the proclamation of Conrad II
. He died in his see on December 4, 1133.
He was the subject of paintings by Bernardino Gatti
and Pietro Perugino
.
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of Vallombrosa
Vallombrosa
Vallombrosa is a Benedictine abbey in the comune of Reggello , c. 30 km south-east of Florence, in the Apennines, surrounded by forests of beech and firs. It was founded by Giovanni Gualberto, a Florentine noble, in 1038 and became the mother house of the Vallumbrosan Order.It was extended...
, a bishop of Parma, papal legate
Papal legate
A papal legate – from the Latin, authentic Roman title Legatus – is a personal representative of the pope to foreign nations, or to some part of the Catholic Church. He is empowered on matters of Catholic Faith and for the settlement of ecclesiastical matters....
, and a cardinal
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...
. A member of the noble Uberti
Uberti
A. Uberti, Srl. is an Italian manufacturer of replica American firearms.Uberti produces high quality replicas of American percussion revolvers, cartridge revolvers, single-shot, and lever-action rifles....
family of Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, he became a Vallumbrosan monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
. He became abbot of San Salvi
San Salvi
San Salvi, also known as San Michele a San Salvi, is a church in Florence, Italy.The church was built in the 11th century by the Vallombrosans as part of an abbey complex. During the 1529 Siege of Florence, the church was partially destroyed. It was reconstructed in accordance with its original...
and was eventually elected the general-superior of the congregation. Pope Urban II
Pope Urban II
Pope Urban II , born Otho de Lagery , was Pope from 12 March 1088 until his death on July 29 1099...
made him a cardinal in 1097, and Bernard also served as bishop of Parma.
Bernard was a supporter of Pope Gregory VII
Pope Gregory VII
Pope St. Gregory VII , born Hildebrand of Sovana , was Pope from April 22, 1073, until his death. One of the great reforming popes, he is perhaps best known for the part he played in the Investiture Controversy, his dispute with Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor affirming the primacy of the papal...
, and as a result was driven into exile in 1104 by the followers of the antipope
Antipope
An antipope is a person who opposes a legitimately elected or sitting Pope and makes a significantly accepted competing claim to be the Pope, the Bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church. At times between the 3rd and mid-15th century, antipopes were typically those supported by a...
Maginulf (Sylvester IV). Some sources state that he was in fact dragged violently from the altar.
He did not return to Parma
Parma
Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
until 1106. However, he was exiled again in 1127 after opposing the proclamation of Conrad II
Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor
Conrad II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1027 until his death.The son of a mid-level nobleman in Franconia, Count Henry of Speyer and Adelaide of Alsace, he inherited the titles of count of Speyer and of Worms as an infant when Henry died at age twenty...
. He died in his see on December 4, 1133.
He was the subject of paintings by Bernardino Gatti
Bernardino Gatti
Bernardino Gatti was an Italian painter of the Renaissance, active mainly in Parma and Cremona.Born in or near Pavia or Cremona. He is also commonly called il Sojaro. His early apprenticeship is unclear, though he is influenced by the pre-eminent local painters: Pordenone, alongside whose works...
and Pietro Perugino
Pietro Perugino
Pietro Perugino , born Pietro Vannucci, was an Italian Renaissance painter of the Umbrian school, who developed some of the qualities that found classic expression in the High Renaissance...
.