St. Bernard of ClairvauxThe Schism of 1130
Early Life
Born in 1090, in Dijon Burgundy
In 1111 entered Cistercian Monastery at Citeaux
In 1115 he was chosen to found his own Monastery
Bernard chose a plot of land in the valley of Absinthe in Burgundy
Renamed the land Clairvaux or “The Valley of Light”
Map of France
The Beginnings of Clairvaux
After first year needed a year to recover
Dedication to rule and overall piety makes Bernard well known
Also became known as a miracle worker and a mystic
In 1122 Bernard was chosen to be a negotiator at the Concordant of Worms
Bernard is now known throughout Europe
Early Public Service
In 1125 Bernard was chosen to end a dispute between the monastery of Chalons, and their Bishop
Later that year he had the Abbot of St. Sepulcher removed for failing to do his duty of upholding the Cistercian Rule
Most feats achieved through prolific and fearless writings
Made many friends… But also many enemies
By 1130 there were over 200 monks at Clairvaux
The Schism of 1130
Papal Decree of 1059
1130 Pope Honorius Dies, two popes are elected
Pope Innocent II – elected in the new fashion
Pope Anacletus II – elected in the old fashion
Most side with Anacletus because of political connections
Bernard choose Innocent because of his piety
Bernard’s Early Travels
Council of Etampes
Then to England to meet with Henry I
Emperor Lothair of Germany calls council of Wurzburg
Convinced head of council, Bishop Norbert of Magdeburg
Lothair’s change of heart and Bernard's travel to Germany
Bernard’s Travels cont.
1131 Council of Rheims
1132 Lothair and Innocent begin march towards Rome
Roger of Sicily is going to defend Rome
They need assistance from Genoa and Pisa
Bernard travels to Genoa
Failed to take St. Peters, had to settle for Pisa
Coronation of Lothair in Lateran Basilica
Bernard’s Travels cont.
1134 William of Aquitaine begins to persecute supports of Innocent
Bernard travels to meet with William
Roger of Sicily begins moving towards Pisa
Lothair could not help because of dispute with his brother Conrad
Bernard meets with Conrad
Lothair defends against Roger
A Schism Ended
1135 Bernard’s visit to Milan - “Bernardus archiepiscopus”
1137 Roger of Sicily’s last stand at Ragnano
1138 Anacletus dies bringing Schism to an end Total Travels: 5268 Miles
1885 hours
79 days worth of traveling time without stops
Total Travels
Later Life
Bernard single handedly ended the Schism
Convinced kings of France, England, and Germany
Made military victories possible
1140 Bernard makes peace with Roger
1145 Bernard preaches the Second Crusade
1153 Bernard Dies
Legacy
Bernard’s influence was so great that he became the leader of Europe during the twelfth century and thus we now identify the age in which he lived with him
Overall Bernard’s role in the schism was nothing less than being the most important factor in leading to Innocent’s eventual victory