Pope Alexander II (1010 - 1073). (Part Eight).

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Stanislaus became one of the earliest native Polish Bishops. This turned out to be a significant decision for the Polish Church. Once appointed, Stanislaus was a highly assertive Bishop who got into conflict with the Polish King, Bolesław II the Bold, “pro suis actibus sceleratis” (“because of his wicked deeds”).

Bolesław and his Nobles assassinated Bishop Stanislaus in the Church of Saint Michæl, in Poland, on 11 April 1079, and cut up his corpse into seventy-two pieces. Poland was laid under “Interdict” for four years, and the See of Kraków remained vacant. In 1088, the body of Bishop Stanislaus was transferred to his Cathedral in Kraków, and, eventually, he was Venerated as a Saint.[57]

In 1068, the German King, Henry IV, attempted to divorce Bertha of Savoy. The Papal Legate, Peter Damian, hinted that any further attempt at a divorce would lead the Pope to refuse to perform his Coronation. Henry obeyed, and his wife, who had retired to Lorsch Abbey returned to Court.[9]

A series of disputes broke out between Bishop Gerhard (Iaromirus, Jaromi) of Prague and Bishop John (Brewnow) of Olmouc, Bohemia. Duke Vratislaus II of Bohemia drew this to the attention of Pope Alexander II when he happened to be at the Papal Court in 1073. Alexander sent “Nuntii” [Editor: Envoys] to Prague to sort the matter out, but they were captured, mutilated, and then murdered.

Shocked at the enormity of the offence, Pope Alexander sent Cardinal Rudolph to Prague. When Gerhard refused to co-operate with the Cardinal, he was deposed and Prague was laid under “Interdict”; when the situation quieted down, he restored the Bishop and lifted the Interdict, but ordered both Bishops to present themselves before the Papal Court. 

When they appeared, Pope Alexander confirmed the deposition of the Bishop of Prague, though he restored him once again at the pleading of Countess Matilda of Tuscany.[58]

Pope Alexander II died at the Lateran Palace on 21 April 1073, and was buried in the Lateran Basilica.[59]

This concludes the Article on Pope Alexander II.