The supernatural reconciliation of the Duke of Aquitaine

Summary:

In 1130, two men were elected popes: Pietro Pierleoni, who took the name Anacletus II (1130-1138), and Gregorio Papareschi, who took the name Innocent II (1130-1143). This double election unsettled the Western Church. Very quickly, between May and September 1130, the King of France, Louis VI (1108-1137), decided to convene a council in Étampes to examine the question. Following this council, the Church of France recognised Innocent II as the legitimate Pope. This decision was confirmed by the Council of Reims in October 1131. Henry I (1100-1135), King of England, and Lothaire III (1125-1137), who reigned in Germania, also joined Innocent II's side.

However, the very powerful Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitiers, William (1126-1137), who was also the father of the famous Eleanor of Aquitaine, future Queen of France and England, supported Anacletus II, probably under the influence of Gerard of Blavia. Elected Bishop of Angoulême in 1102, Gerard was legate to four popes. In 1131, he also became archbishop of Bordeaux, while retaining his see of Angoulême. At the time of the schism, he sided with Anacletus II. Supporters of Innocent II suffered various persecutions (fines, confiscations, etc.). The bishops of Poitiers and Limoges were even driven from their sees and forced into exile.

Bernard, accompanied by a delegation of several bishops, including that of Chartres, met William X at the end of 1134 or the beginning of 1135. At a previous meeting, Bernard had succeeded in convincing the Count to rally to Innocent II, but the latter had subsequently changed his mind.

After a long argument based on the Bible, theology and history, the delegation managed to convince William X to rally to Innocent II. However, William refused to be reconciled with the bishops he had previously expelled from their sees because of their loyalty to Innocent II, believing that he had been personally offended by them.

Seeing that the discussion was going nowhere, Bernard decided to go and celebrate the Eucharist, while the Count stood at the door of the church. After the consecration, Bernard approached the Count with the paten and, inspired by a spirit of strength, placed him directly under the judgement of Christ: "We have prayed to you and you have despised us. In another meeting we have already had with you, the multitude of God's servants, gathered before you, begged you and you despised us. Behold, the Son of the Virgin Mary is coming to you, the head and Lord of the Church you are persecuting. Behold your Judge: at his name every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and in hell. This is your Judge: into his hands your soul will fall. Will you despise him too? Will you disdain him too, like his servants?"

William of Aquitaine then lost control of his body, collapsed and rolled on the ground. His knights picked him up, but he fell again. Unable to speak, he only moaned. Bernard, continuing to approach, ordered him to reconcile with the Bishop of Poitiers, who was also present, by giving him the kiss of peace. William obeyed, kissed the bishop and restored him to his seat. The Church of Aquitaine thus rallied to Innocent II.

Going further:

St. Bernard of Clairvaux: Oracle of the Twelfth Century by Abbé Theodore Ratisbonne, TAN Books; 900th Anniversary Edition (January 1, 1991) 

More information:

• The Life and Times of St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux A.D. 1091-1153 by James Cotter Morison, Literary Licensing, LLC (March 30, 2014)

• Lithograph: representation of the conversion of the Duke of Aquitaine, produced in 1850 by Beauvais Hippolyte.
• Painting: Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 - 1153) and William X (1099 - 1137), Duke of Aquitaine, by Martin Pepin (Musée des Beaux-Arts, Valenciennes, France).