Adalbero I of Metz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adalbero I of Metz Adalbero of Bar
Bishop of Metz (929-962) Abbot of Sint-Truiden (944-962)
Cover of the evangeliary of Adalbero
Church	Catholic
See	Prince-Bishopric of Metz
Predecessor	Benno of Einsiedeln
Successor	Dietrich I of Metz
Personal details
Born	not known
Died	26 April 962 Sint-Truiden

Adalbero I (also known as Adalbéron) was an important leader in the Catholic Church during the 900s. He was the bishop of Metz from 929 to 954. He also became the head, or Abbot, of Sint-Truiden Abbey starting in 944.

Adalbero is remembered for helping to rebuild and expand monasteries that had been damaged. Many of these places had been destroyed by Normans (Viking raiders) in the years before he took charge.

About Adalbero

His Family Background

Adalbero came from a very important family in his region. His father was Wigeric, a powerful count in Lotharingia. His mother was Cunigunda. She was a granddaughter of Louis II of France, which meant Adalbero was a descendant of the famous emperor Charlemagne.

Adalbero had several well-known brothers. One was Frederick I, who became a duke. Another brother was Sigfried, Count of Ardennes. This shows that Adalbero grew up in a family with a lot of power and influence.

Becoming a Bishop

In 929, Adalbero was chosen by the church leaders and people to become the new Bishop of Metz. He took over after the previous bishop had left.

As Bishop of Metz, Adalbero was very keen on bringing back the old ways of monasticism. This is why people called him the "father of the monks." He strongly encouraged the repair and expansion of church buildings that had fallen apart.

Starting around 933, he played a big part in bringing Gorze Abbey back to life. He put an energetic leader named Abbot John in charge there. Gorze Abbey then became a great example for other monasteries in the area to follow.

In 941, he made a big change at the Abbey of Saint-Arnould in Metz. He replaced the existing monks with new ones from Gorze. These new monks followed the strict rules of Saint Benedict.

Becoming an Abbot

In 944, Adalbero became the Abbot of Sint-Truiden Abbey. He removed the previous abbot because of "poor conduct." Even though Adalbero remained a bishop, he spent a lot of time at Sint-Truiden.

At Sint-Truiden, the Abbey was almost completely rebuilt. It became a very grand place. He also helped get back lands that had been taken from the monastery by local nobles.

In 947, he was able to officially open and bless the new abbey church.

His Role in Politics

Adalbero was also involved in the politics of his time. In the 930s, there were wars between Louis IV of France and Otto I of Germany. Both leaders wanted control over Lorraine. Adalbero supported Louis IV and bravely defended Metz from the German armies.

However, when the war ended in 939, he had to allow Otto I's soldiers into Metz.

In 950, Adalbero acted as a mediator, helping to solve a conflict between Louis IV of France and Hugh, Count of Paris.

Years after Adalbero's death, Emperor Otto I called him "sanctissimus," which means "very holy." This shows that Adalbero was highly respected, even by his former opponents.

His Death

Records from Metz say that Adalbero died on April 26, 962. However, records from Sint-Truiden say he died on February 23, 964. Some history books even suggest he died in 960.

His body was first taken to Gorze Abbey and then to the Abbey of Saint-Arnould in Metz. There, many people came to honor him.