Gunther (archbishop of Cologne) facts for kids

Gunther (died 8 July 873) was an important church leader in Germany. He served as the Archbishop of Cologne from 850. An archbishop is a very high-ranking bishop who leads a large area of churches. Gunther was later removed from his position in 863.

Gunther's Early Life and Role

Gunther came from a powerful Frankish family. He was the uncle of Radboud of Utrecht. People at the time said Gunther was very talented. He became Archbishop of Cologne on 22 April 850.

Dispute Over Church Lands

For a long time, Gunther did not want to give up control of a church area called the Diocese of Bremen. This area was under his authority. Another church leader, Ansgar, wanted Bremen to join his own larger church area, the Archdiocese of Hamburg. Ansgar needed this to help with his missionary work, which meant spreading Christianity. Pope Nicholas I, the leader of the Catholic Church, finally decided in Ansgar's favor around 860. Gunther did not like this decision but eventually agreed.

Family Connections and Royal Marriages

Gunther became a close advisor to King Lothair II. King Lothair II was married to a woman named Teutberga. There was a dispute about this marriage.

It seems King Lothair II also had a connection with another woman named Waldrada. Some historical records suggest Waldrada was related to Gunther. This connection became important in the king's marriage problems.

The King's Marriage Problems

King Lothair II wanted to end his marriage to Teutberga. Gunther played a big part in this. At church meetings called synods in 860, Gunther and other bishops pressured Teutberga. They made her say that something had happened before her marriage. Because of this forced statement, the king was allowed to leave her. She was sent to live in a convent, a place for religious women.

At another synod in 862, Gunther and other bishops allowed King Lothair II to marry Waldrada. Pope Nicholas I sent his own representatives to check on this decision. However, the king influenced these representatives. At a synod in Metz in 863, the king's divorce was approved.

Conflict with the Pope

Gunther and another archbishop, Thietgaud, took the decisions from the Metz synod to the Pope. They asked the Pope to approve them. But the Pope called his own meeting in Rome in October 863. At this meeting, the Pope rejected the Metz decision. He also removed Gunther and Thietgaud from their positions. This is called being excommunicated and deposed. It meant they were no longer allowed to be church leaders.

Gunther and Thietgaud wrote a document saying the Pope had treated them unfairly. They sent copies to the Pope and other church leaders. Even when Emperor Louis II came to Rome with an army to try and force the Pope to change his mind, the Pope did not give in.

Attempts to Regain Power

Even after being removed, Gunther went back to Cologne and tried to act as archbishop in 864. But other bishops and King Lothair II eventually agreed with the Pope. Gunther and Thietgaud went to another synod in Rome in November 864. They asked to be allowed back into their positions, but they were not successful.

Later, when a new Pope, Adrian II, took office, Gunther and Thietgaud returned to Rome in 867. Thietgaud was eventually allowed back into the church. But Gunther remained removed until 869. After he publicly said he was sorry, the Pope allowed him to be a regular church member again.

The position of Archbishop of Cologne had been given to another person, Hugh, in 864. Hugh was removed in 866, and Gunther tried to get his position back. Since Gunther was still not allowed to perform church duties, he had his brother, Hilduin, do them for him.

After King Lothair II, Gunther's supporter, died, a new archbishop named Wilbert was chosen for Cologne in 870. Gunther realized he could not get his old job back. He accepted the new archbishop and left Cologne for good.

Gunther died in 873.