Balderic of Utrecht
Balderic | |
---|---|
Bishop of Utrecht | |
Church | Catholic Church |
Diocese | Archdiocese of Utrecht |
In office | 918–975 |
Personal details | |
Born | 897 |
Died | 27 December 975 |
Balderic of Cleves(Oldenzaal,897 –Utrecht,27 December 975) was a long-reigning and influentialBishopofUtrechtfrom 918 to 975.
Although his father is only known from one document associating him withBetuwe,and his grave in his son's bishopric in Utrecht, the necrologium of Egmond in Utrecht calls his father count of Cleves (comes clivensis) and the necrologium of the Plechelmusbasilica in Oldenzaal, founded by Balderic, calls Balderic himself "Balderic of Cleves", "de clivis". Jongbloed (2006) argues that although the style of the title seems to be from a later generation, it should not be ignored. He also points to other evidence that the family had associations with the area, which was then referred to as the Duffelgau or Tubelgau.
Balderic was a cousin of DukeGilbert of Lorraine[citation needed]and the uncle of Bishop Balderic ofLiège.He was the son ofCount Ricfriedin theBetuwe,who expelled theVikingsfrom Utrecht, after which Balderic, who like his immediate predecessors had resided inDeventer,was able to move the bishopric back toUtrecht.
In Utrecht, Balderic repaired the forerunner of theCathedral of Utrecht,St. Martin, and rebuilt the St. Salvator Church, which had been destroyed by the Normans, as well as the convent school that was attached to the Cathedral Chapter. Under his influence, Utrecht became the most important city in the northern Netherlands and he expanded the power of the local diocese so that it could maintain itself between the surrounding counties. This was achieved through his support of the German king, who granted him possessions in return.
Balderic was very successful in this policy: in 923 he formed close relations with the German KingHenry I(919-936), who in return entrusted Balderic with the education of his four-year-old sonBruno,future archbishop ofCologne.
Because of this, Balderic also kept close contact with Henry's other son and successor, KingOtto I(936-973). He belonged to the Lorrainian lords that sided with Otto in his struggle with his sons in 953. In exchange, Otto granted Balderic the right of coinage in Utrecht, as well as the trade settlementMuidenincluding the importanttoll.Furthermore, he acquired hunting rights inDrenthe,and several possessions in theGau (country subdivision)Lek and IJssel.
Balderic collectedrelicfor the churches in Utrecht. These included the relics of saintOdulffor the St. Salvator Church and relics of saintsAgnesandPontianfor the St. Martin's Church. In 954 he had the relics ofPlechelmtransferred Church that he had rebuilt inOldenzaal.
Balderic was the first bishop of Utrecht to be buried in theCathedral of Saint-Martin.In 1481, an important part of his remains from Utrecht were moved to the St. Plechelmusbasilica in Oldenzaal and buried there, probably as a tribute to the founder of itschapter.The tombstone of that year is preserved and built into the west wall of the south aisle of the St. Plechelmusbasiliek.
References
[edit]- Jongbloed, Hein H., (2006), "Immed “von Kleve” (um 950) – Das erste Klevische Grafenhaus (ca. 885-ca. 1015) als Vorstufe des geldrischen Fürstentums ",Annalen des Historischen Vereins für den Niederrhein,Heft 209[1]
- Fritz Weigle (1953),"Balderich",Neue Deutsche Biographie(in German), vol. 1, Berlin: Duncker & Humblot, p. 550
- Thijm Alberdingk (1875), "Balderich",Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie(in German), vol. 2, Leipzig: Duncker & Humblot, p. 3