Adalbero (archbishop of Reims)

Adalbero (French Adalberon; died 989) was the archbishop of Reims, chancellor of Kings Lothair and Louis V of France.

Nearing the end of the Carolingian Dynasty, Archbishop Adalbero and Queen Emma^[1] led a political party in favor of the Franks allying with the Ottonian dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire in the Frankish courts. In a series of letters sent to Empress Theophanu, Emma's sister-in-law and consort of the Holy Roman Empire, Adalbero expressed loyalty on behalf of himself, Queen Emma, and her son Louis V ^[2] ( Adalbero's lord at the time ). It was Otto I who had named Adalbero Archbishop, along with the other clergy members who were given their positions by the Emperor and is why Adalbero had felt such loyalty towards them. However, not all clergy felt the same way, and so they created a political party to oppose Queen Emma in the Frankish courts, one whose goal was to reinstate the policies of Lothair I and expand the Frankish kingdom eastward, to gain the territory of Lorraine, Adalbero's home.^[3] The opposing party eventually prevailed when Louis disregarded the advice given to him by the Archbishop and his mother, Queen Emma, which was to seek friendship with Otto III, Theophanu's son.^[4] This unfortunate turn of events forced Adalbero to step down from his position as Archbishop and flee.^[5] This act was perceived as treason by King Louis, and Adalbero was called to trial at an assembly of leading Franks at Compiègne. The sudden death of Louis V prevented this trial from taking place, and allowed Adalbero to give his support for Hugh Capet as rightful heir and denounce the Carolingian claimant, Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine.^[3]

Upon the death of Louis V, in 987, Adalbero and Gerbert of Aurillac addressed the electoral assembly at Senlis in favour of Hugh Capet, to replace the Carolingian monarch. Adalbero pleaded:

"Crown the Duke. He is most illustrious by his exploits, his nobility, his forces. The throne is not acquired by hereditary right; no one should be raised to it unless distinguished not only for nobility of birth, but for the goodness of his soul."

Capet was elected and crowned at Noyon, 3 July in that year by Adalbero.

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "^{article name needed}". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton.

References

1. "Emma, queen of the Franks | Epistolae". epistolae.ccnmtl.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
2. "A letter from Adalbero, archbishop of Reims () | Epistolae". epistolae.ccnmtl.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
3. "Adalbero Of Ardennes | archbishop of Reims". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
4. "Louis V | king of France". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
5. "A letter from Adalbero, archbishop of Reims (985) | Epistolae". epistolae.ccnmtl.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2016-05-01.