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