Bruno the Great facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Bruno the Great
Posthumous 12th century manuscript drawing
Archbishop, Duke
Born	925
Died	965 Reims, County of Vermandois
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church
Major shrine	Church of St. Pantaleon
Feast	11 October

Bruno the Great (born May 925 – died 11 October 965) was a very important person in medieval Europe. He was the Archbishop of Cologne from 953 until his death. He also became the Duke of Lotharingia in 954. Bruno was the youngest brother of Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, who was a powerful ruler.

Bruno's Early Life and Rise to Power

Bruno was the youngest son of Henry the Fowler and his second wife, Matilda. From a young age, it was decided that Bruno would become a church leader. In the early 940s, he studied in Trier. His teacher was a famous scholar named Israel the Grammarian.

In 951, Bruno's brother, Emperor Otto, gave him an important job. Bruno became Otto's chief chaplain, a top advisor in church matters.

Becoming an Archbishop and Duke

Bruno quickly gained more power. In 953, the position of Archbishop of Cologne became open. At the same time, Conrad the Red, who was the Duke of Lotharingia and Otto's son-in-law, started a rebellion against Otto.

Emperor Otto appointed Bruno as the new Archbishop of Cologne. This was a smart move. Much of Lotharingia was part of the Cologne archdiocese. By making Bruno archbishop, Otto gained a strong ally against Conrad. The rebellion ended the next year. Otto removed Conrad as Duke of Lotharingia. He then gave that important title to Bruno.

Ruling Lotharingia

Bruno was one of the last dukes to rule all of Lotharingia. Later, in 959, the region was split into two parts. These were called Lower Lotharingia and Upper Lotharingia. Two local nobles, Godfrey and Frederick, became their leaders. They were recognized as dukes after Bruno's death.

Bruno's Influence and Role as Regent

Being both an archbishop and a duke made Bruno incredibly powerful. His biographer, Ruotger, even called him an "archduke." He was the most powerful person after Emperor Otto, not just in Germany but also in other areas.

After the deaths of Louis IV of West Francia in 954 and Hugh the Great in 956, Bruno became a regent. A regent is someone who rules for a young king. Bruno was related to both of them. He was the uncle of their heirs, Lothair (the new king) and Hugh Capet. So, Bruno helped rule West Francia.

From 962 onwards, Bruno also served as Otto's regent in Germany. This happened when Otto was away in Italy. Bruno died in Reims in 965. He was buried in the monastery of St Pantaleon, which he had founded near Cologne.

Bruno's Lasting Impact

Bruno's position in Cologne was almost like that of a king. Emperor Otto gave Bruno and future archbishops of Cologne many special rights. These included the right to build forts and set up markets. They could also make their own coins and collect taxes. These taxes included special ones from Jews for royal protection. They also collected taxes on market trading and tolls from boats on the Rhine river. Even after Bruno, the archbishops of Cologne were important secular (non-church) rulers of the city for centuries.

A Center for Learning and Art

Bruno's court in Cologne was a major center for learning and art in Germany. It was even more important than his brother Otto's court. Otto's court moved around a lot and focused more on military matters.

Many famous scholars visited Bruno's court, like Ratherius and Liutprand of Cremona. Many future German church leaders were educated there. These included Everaclus of Liège, Gerard (bishop of Toul), Wikfrid (bishop of Verdun), and Theoderic (bishop of Metz).

Building Cologne

Bruno had a huge impact on the city of Cologne. He built a palace and made the cathedral much bigger. It was said to be as grand as Old Saint Peter's in Rome. This cathedral later burned down in 1248 and was replaced by the current one.

Bruno also expanded the city's defenses. He brought the area between the old Roman walls and the Rhine river inside the city walls. He built new churches, including one for Saint Martin of Tours and another for Saint Andrew. He also built a Benedictine monastery dedicated to St Pantaleon.

Bruno also moved the relics of St. Patroclus' from Troyes. He buried them in 964 at St Patrokli Dom in Soest. St. Patroclus is still honored there today.

Becoming a Saint

People honored Bruno at St Pantaleon throughout the Middle Ages. He was seen as a good example to follow. In the 12th century, there was a brief period when people believed miracles happened at his tomb.

Bruno was formally recognized as "Blessed" in 1870. In 1871, Archbishop Paul Melchers made October 11 a special day to honor him. His tomb was opened in 1747 and again in 1892. Finally, in 1895, Bruno was officially made a saint.