Adalbert of Hamburg

Adalbert of Hamburg-Bremen (also Albert; c. 1000 – March 16, 1072) was a German prelate, who was Archbishop of Bremen-Hamburg from 1043 until his death. He is also known as Adalbert I of Saxony.

Adalbert was the son of Count Friedrich von Goseck, a political figure of the Holy Roman Empire, papal legate, "Vikar des Nordens", one of the regents of Emperor Henry IV.

Adalbert became subdeacon to the Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen in 1032, later provost of the Halberstadt Cathedral, and Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen in 1043 or 1045 with supremacy over the Scandinavian Peninsula and a great part of the Wend lands, and all territory north of the Elbe.

Having accompanied the Emperor Henry III on a christianization campaign in 1045, he also journeyed with him to Rome in 1046. Adam of Bremen rumours Adalbert to have refused a candidacy as pope, resulting in the election of Clement II, to continue with the conversion of the Wends.

Adalbert worked to increase the influence of his patriarchate, and thereby also the influence of the Holy Roman Empire, but met resistance from the Scandinavian kings who preferred to receive bishops consecrated in Canterbury, then under Danish influence. King Sweyn II of Denmark appealed to the Emperor and to Pope Leo IX for an archbishop of his own, which would mean a loss to Hamburg of lands just yielding fruits after two hundred years of Christianization. The whole discussion was cut short by the death of both Pope (1054) and Emperor (1056).

Subsequently, Adalbert lost his hold on the imperial court, and the young Emperor, Henry IV, fell under the influence of the Archbishop Anno of Cologne. However, Adalbert gained control of Henry's education, eventually superseding Anno in his confidence and esteem, but again forced to retire from court in 1066–1069.

Archbishop Adalbert is characterized by Adam of Bremen as:

Generous, prudent, and zealous as he was, his character was marred by indomitable pride, which has caused him to be depicted in the blackest colours.

He died at Goslar in 1072.

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