John of Crema
Encyclopedia
John of Crema was an Italian papal legate
and Cardinal
. He was a close supporter of Pope Callistus II.
in 1124-5, sent by Callistus (who died in 1124) and confirmed by his successor Pope Honorius II
. At this time England was generally closed to papal diplomats; of nine legates to England in Henry's reign, John was the only one to be able to use his authority.
Modern historians have speculated that this permission was a quid pro quo after Callistus had annulled the marriage to Sibylla of Anjou
of William Clito
, who was struggling against Henry in Normandy
. John, with Peter Pierleone and Gregory of San Angelo, had upheld the annulment. Fulk V of Anjou, Sibylla's father, took this badly, and in late 1124 a stand-off developed. Fulk imprisoned the papal legates and treated them roughly, and was excommunicated. Shortly Fulk submitted, and William Clito's position deteriorated in consequence..
John held a legatine council
at Westminster Abbey
on 9 September 1125. Here he claimed precedence over William of Corbeil.
One of John’s tasks related to enforcement of the celibacy of the clergy. A contemporary story, mentioned by Roger of Hoveden
, and repeated in David Hume
’s history, is that he had been surprised in bed with a woman (perhaps supplied by the bishop of Durham). This is treated now as a rumour, put about by Henry of Huntingdon
.
in Rome, from about 1120. He became Cardinal around 1117.
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 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...
. He was a close supporter of Pope Callistus II.
Legate
He undertook a significant papal mission to Henry I of EnglandHenry I of England
Henry I was the fourth son of William I of England. He succeeded his elder brother William II as King of England in 1100 and defeated his eldest brother, Robert Curthose, to become Duke of Normandy in 1106...
in 1124-5, sent by Callistus (who died in 1124) and confirmed by his successor Pope Honorius II
Pope Honorius II
Pope Honorius II , born Lamberto Scannabecchi, was pope from December 21, 1124, to February 13, 1130. Although from a humble background, his obvious intellect and outstanding abilities saw him promoted through the ecclesiastical hierarchy...
. At this time England was generally closed to papal diplomats; of nine legates to England in Henry's reign, John was the only one to be able to use his authority.
Modern historians have speculated that this permission was a quid pro quo after Callistus had annulled the marriage to Sibylla of Anjou
Sibylla of Anjou
Sibylla of Anjou was a daughter of Fulk V of Anjou and Ermengarde of Maine, and wife of William Clito and Thierry, Count of Flanders....
of William Clito
William Clito
William Clito was the son of Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy, by his marriage with Sibylla of Conversano...
, who was struggling against Henry in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
. John, with Peter Pierleone and Gregory of San Angelo, had upheld the annulment. Fulk V of Anjou, Sibylla's father, took this badly, and in late 1124 a stand-off developed. Fulk imprisoned the papal legates and treated them roughly, and was excommunicated. Shortly Fulk submitted, and William Clito's position deteriorated in consequence..
John held a legatine council
Legatine council
A legatine council or legatine synod is an ecclesiastical council or synod that is presided over by a papal legate.According to Pope Gregory VII, writing in the Dictatus papae, a papal legate "presides over all bishops in a council, even if he is inferior in rank, and he can pronounce sentence of...
at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
on 9 September 1125. Here he claimed precedence over William of Corbeil.
One of John’s tasks related to enforcement of the celibacy of the clergy. A contemporary story, mentioned by Roger of Hoveden
Roger of Hoveden
Roger of Hoveden, or Howden , was a 12th-century English chronicler.From Hoveden's name and the internal evidence of his work, he is believed to have been a native of Howden in East Yorkshire. Nothing is known of him before the year 1174. He was then in attendance upon Henry II, by whom he was sent...
, and repeated in David Hume
David Hume
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment...
’s history, is that he had been surprised in bed with a woman (perhaps supplied by the bishop of Durham). This is treated now as a rumour, put about by Henry of Huntingdon
Henry of Huntingdon
Henry of Huntingdon , the son of a canon in the diocese of Lincoln, was a 12th century English historian, the author of a history of England, Historia anglorum, "the most important Anglo-Norman historian to emerge from the secular clergy". He served as archdeacon of Huntingdon...
.
Cardinal
He rebuilt his titular church of San CrisogonoSan Crisogono
San Crisogono is a church in Rome dedicated to the martyr Saint Chrysogonus.-History:The church was one of the tituli, the first parish churches of Rome...
in Rome, from about 1120. He became Cardinal around 1117.