Clement III

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1080.02.25 to 1100.01.08
Antipope

Guibert of Ravenna
1025? in Parma
1100.09.08 in Civita' Castellana

Biography:

Election

He supported the appointment of Antipope Honorius II (1061-1064) as pope, by Empress Agnes, who retaliated for being excluded from the election process of Pope Alexander II (1061-1073). On 31 May, 1064, the Council of Mantua formally recognised the legitimacy of Pope Alexander II, and excommunicated Honorius II.

In 1072, Empress Agnes had Antipope Clement III appointed as Archbishop of Ravenna. Despite strong opposition, Pope Alexander II concescrated him, after a sworn oath of allegiance.

Antipope Clement III with Henry IV

After the death of Pope Alexander II, the Archdeacon Hildebrand became Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085). In 1075, a synod was held to excommunicate those involved in simony. This angered King Henry VII, as most of his prelate appointees were excommunicated. To counter this, a synod was setup in Worms on 23 January, 1076, which found Pope Gregory VII guilty of a series of crimes, and declared him deposed. Two additional synods at Piacenza and Pavia also agreed to this decision. In response, Gregory VII ordered King Henry VII and all his supporters excommunicated. On 28 January, 1077, King Henry VII reconcilled with the Pontiff, and the excommunication was dropped. However, in 1080, Pope Gregory VII renewed the excommunication, and on 21 March, 1080, King Henry IV of Germany, marched on Rome, forcing Pope Gregory VII to retreat to the Castle of Saint' Angelo. On 24 February, 1080, Clement III was crowned pope. On 31 March, 1080, Clement III crowned Henry IV, Emperor Henry IV, of the Holy Roman Emipre.

Upon learning that Gregory VII's ally, Guiscard, Duke of Normandy, was marching on Rome, King Henry IV and Clement III fled the city. Clement III retreated to Revenna, where he became Archbishop once again. Revolts from the Roman people forced Gregory VII to flee the city and live in exile until his death in 1085. Clement III returned to Rome carrying out functions as Pope and negotiating with other rulers, even through the reigns of both Pope Victor III (1086-1087) and Pope Urban II (1088-1099). He died in in the Civita' Castellana on 8 September, 1100.

Rulers & Events:

1056-1105: King of Germany, Henry IV

1060-1108: King of France, Philip I

1073-1085: Pope Gregory VII

1078-1081: Eastern Roman Emperor, Nicephorus III

1081-1118: Eastern Roman Emperor, Alexius I

1084-1105: Holy Roman Emperor, Henry IV

1085:      Norman king Heinrich IV sacks Rome

1086-1087: Pope Victor III

1088-1089: Pope Urban II

1099-1118: Pope Paschal II