Pope Alexander II
Pope Alexander II (Anselmo Baggio),
pope from
1061 to
1073, was
a native of
Milan. As bishop of
Lucca he had been an energetic
coadjutor with
Hildebrand in endeavouring to suppress
simony,
and to enforce the celibacy of the clergy. His election, which
Hildebrand had arranged in conformity with the decree of 1059
(see
Pope Nicholas II), was not sanctioned by the imperial court of
Germany. This court, faithful to the practice observed by
it in the preceding elections, nominated another candidate,
Cadalus, bishop of
Parma, who was proclaimed at the council
of
Basel under the name of Honorius II, marched to Rome, and
for a long time jeopardized his rival's position. At length,
however, he was abandoned by the Germanic court and deposed
by a council held at Mantua; and Alexander's position remained
unchallenged. Alexander was succeeded by his associate
Hildebrand, who took the title of
Gregory VII.
Initial text from 1911 encyclopedia -- Please update as needed