The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-09-05
7 He EN- GLISH POPE
ADRIAN w RULED THE CHURCH
FROM 1854 TO 1159-HIS DEAL
INGS WITH EMPEROR FREDER-
lex RARBARoSSA.


Nicholas Breakspear, the only Eng
disappearing ecclesiastic to sit in the
chair of Peter, was born about the
year 100 A. D., close to st. Adams,
Hertfordshire, England, in rather poor
circumstances, though the family was
OF good social standing. His father,
with his wife's consent, became a
monk, and it was intended that Mich
olas should join him in the monastery
But the abbot refused, and the future
Pope went to France and studied in
Paris, finally settling down at the
monster. Of st. Rufus, near Avignon,
of which institution he became abbot.
The monks began to regret their
choice of a foreigner to rule over
them, and their complaints became
louder until at last they formulated
a series of charges and summoned him
before Pope Eugenius.
The Pope gave his judgment as fol
lows: Il know, my brethren, where
the seat of Satan is; | know what ex-
cites this storm among you. Depart,
choose superior with whom you will
be at peace, for this one shall burthen
you no longer" And retaining Mich
olas in his own service he had him
consecrated Bishop of Albano. Mich
olas, who was refused admittance into
the monastery of st. Adams in Eng
land, became Bishop of Albano, in
las. 1t was only shortly after this
he was created second English Cardi-
nal. His first great task was the re-
arrangement of the whole Scandina-
Wan Hierarchy. After spending some
years in Norway and Sweden he left
behind him as his biographer Boso
states, peace for kingdoms, laws for
barbarians, quiet for monasteries, or
der for churches, discipline for clergy,
and a people acceptable to God, doors
of good works.
On his return to Rome his reputa-
ton was such that on the death of
AnastasiuS he was unanimously
elected Pope on December 3, 1854.
Very early in his pontifcate, when
Arnold of Brescia and the Senate dis
puted his authority, he placed the
whole Of Rome under an Interdict, a
proceeding which spread consterna-
ton among the Romans. The success
of his stratagem was almost at once
apparent for the people brought pres
sure to bear upon the senators, Arnold
and his followers were expelled, and
the Interdict removed.
Meanwhile, Hadrian had to enter
into international politics and espe-
cially to use his diplomacy between
William of Sicily and Frederick Bar
barossa, then King of the Romans on
the Rhine.
1t was during these delicate negotia-
tions and intrigues that the Pope
showed his strength of character. Ha,
drian had occasion to, visit the, camp
of the Teutonic King, Barbarossa, and
when he arrived, surrounded by his
Cardinals, he was welcomed by the
army. But the King did not offer that
customary respect shown to all Popes
the holding of the stirrup whilst the
Pope dismounted. The Cardinals,
dreading the kings anger, turned their
horses and fled. But Hadrian dis
mounted calmly and took the seat pre-
pared for him, but would not give the
king the kiss of peace until he had
performed the act of courtesy he had
omitted Barbarossa was obstinate,
saying it was no part of his duty to
act as the Pope's groom. But after
the departure of the Pope, it was
pointed out to Frederick that the hold
ing of the stirrup was historical act
of courtesy performed by every king.
The German camp was accordingly
pushed on towards the place where
Hadrian was staying, and the Pope
once more rode out to meet the army.
There in full view of everybody Fred
erick stepped forward and leading the
horse for space, held the stirrup and
assisted the Pontiff to dismount. The
kiss of peace was then given, and thus
reconciliation took place. The thir-
teenth century national codes of Sua-
bia and Saxony lay it down that the
Kaiser must hold the Pope's stirrup.
Frederick received the Imperial
crown at Hadrian's hands, and an alli-
ance between the two was ratified.
Soon we have to follow Hadrian
through many vicissitudes of friend
ship with Frederick, the gradual
breaking off of relations, open enmity
and war; the healing of the breach;
war again, and SO on until Hadrian's
death at Anagni in 1859. His death
we are told in the words of the old
English chronicler "perturbed all the
peoples and nations of the Christian
Faith, but it has stirred our England
which gave him birth with grief still
more bitter"