Seraphin | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Esztergom | |
 Seraphin crowns Coloman in early 1096, as depicted in the Illuminated Chronicle | |
| See | Esztergom |
| Appointed | c. 1095 |
| Term ended | 1104 |
| Predecessor | Acha |
| Successor | Lawrence |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1050s |
| Died | 1104 |
| Nationality | Hungarian |
Seraphin (Hungarian : Szerafin; died 1104) was a Hungarian prelate at the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries, who served as Archbishop of Esztergom from around 1095 until his death.
Similarly to other contemporary prelates, the high-born Seraphin was a member of the royal chapel, during the reign of Ladislaus I of Hungary. He first appeared in historical documents in an inventory of the Bakonybél Abbey in 1086, written by Seraphin himself, who then functioned as royal chaplain (thus he was responsible for issuing royal diplomas, as there was no permanent chancellery before the late-12th century). Taking into account his position, it is possible, he was born in the late 1050s or early 1060s. [1] Alongside his two co-chaplains, he was present as a witness at the foundation of the Somogyvár Abbey in 1091. [2]
Seraphin was elected Archbishop of Esztergom in the last months of Ladislaus' reign, in 1094 or most likely early 1095. A 12th-century complement of the Bakonybél inventory referred to him as archbishop, who gained the dignity during the rule of Ladislaus. [3] Just before his death, the king had invited his exiled nephew, Coloman back from Poland, as the Illuminated Chronicle states. Coloman was crowned king by Seraphin in early 1096, the delay implying that he had been fighting for the crown with his brother Álmos before they reached an agreement. Seraphin and Coloman knew each other well, as the new monarch was initially prepared for a church career, and was also consecrated a bishop during Ladislaus' reign. Historian Márta Font argues Coloman could only be crowned after Pope Urban II had released him from his clerical vows at the request of Seraphin. [2]
As a strong confidant of the royal power, Seraphin assisted Coloman, who abandoned his predecessor's foreign policy and supported the pope. Perhaps Seraphin had a crucial role in this process. Still, Coloman rejected the Gregorian Reforms and exercised the royal authority to invest his bishops and abbots. In May 1099, Seraphin escorted his king to Uherské Hradiště at the Bohemian border to meet Duke Bretislaus II, where "they renewed their age-old bonds of friendship and peace and confirmed them with oaths", according to the contemporaneous chronicler Cosmas of Prague. [4] Following that, Herman, Bishop-elect of Prague and Cosmas of Prague were ordained priests by Seraphin in Esztergom in June. Beforehand, Herman was appointed bishop by Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor in April, thus Seraphin acknowledged the Emperor's right of investiture with the consecration, in accordance with Coloman's standpoint. [5]
Around 1100, Coloman and Seraphin convened a synod in Tarcal, which marked the first steps into the large-scale church organizational and canon law reforms, which characterized the term of Seraphin's successor Lawrence. The prologue of Coloman's first decree dedicated to Seraphin. [6] The eighty-four theses of the council extended the judicial and governmental powers of the bishops, in addition to the regular two-yearly convocation of synods in every bishoprics. The synod also strengthened the bishops' authority over the Benedictine monasteries. These measures defined Hungary's liturgical characteristics for the upcoming century until the Golden Bull of 1222. Subsequently, Seraphin compiled and collected these decrees into a single text, which later was known as Coloman's First Book of Laws. [4] Based on the misinterpretation of 18th-century scholar and prelate Ignác Batthyány, formerly several historians, including Gyula Pauler and Levente Závodszky, considered the first synod of Esztergom occurred still during the archiepiscopal tenure of Seraphin. However, Johannes de Thurocz's Chronica Hungarorum definitely says, both ecclesiastical councils at Esztergom was convened by Seraphin's successor, Lawrence and his suffragans. [7]
Seraphin was last mentioned in 1103, when successfully mediated between Matthew, Bishop of Veszprém and Peter, the abbot of Pannonhalma during a lawsuit. Seraphin is the first Archbishop of Esztergom, whose staff is known in historiography: the episcopal chapel was first mentioned during his tenure. Alberticus, his chaplain of French origin recorded and systematized the canons of the Synod of Tarcal. He wrote its testimonial in a Western-style rhythmic prose. Seraphin's another staff member was the young hospes Fulco, who initially belonged to the allegiance of Duke Álmos, then joined Seraphin's court. After the death of the archbishop, Fulco served five bishops of Veszprém – Matthew, Nana, Martyrius, Peter and Paul – as a cleric, despite his secular status. [8] He made his last will and testament in 1146. [9] Seraphin died in 1104. [2]
Matthias from the kindred Rátót was a Hungarian prelate in the first half of the 13th century, who served as Bishop of Vác from 1238 to 1240, then Archbishop of Esztergom from 1239 until his death in the Battle of Mohi. He was the first Archbishop of Esztergom, who was referred to as Primate of Hungary.
Fancica or Francica was a Hungarian prelate at the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries, who served as Bishop of Zagreb from around 1125 to 1131, then Archbishop of Kalocsa from 1131 until his death.
Desiderius or Ders was a Hungarian prelate in the 11th century, who served as Archbishop of Kalocsa from around 1064 to 1076.
Nehemiah was a Hungarian prelate and politician, who served as Archbishop of Esztergom in the 1070s, during the reigns of Géza I and Ladislaus I of Hungary.
Macarius was a prelate in the Kingdom of Hungary in the first half of the 12th century. He was successively provost of Titel around 1127, bishop of Pécs between around 1136 and around 1139, and finally archbishop of Esztergom until around 1147.
Kalán from the kindred Bár-Kalán was a prelate and royal official in the Kingdom of Hungary at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries. He was bishop of Pécs from 1186 until his death in 1218, and ban of Croatia and Dalmatia between 1193 and 1194, thus he was the first prelate in the kingdom to parallelly held a secular office. Kalán's relationship with the monarch was tense in the reign of King Emeric who accused the bishop of incest but could never prove it. Although a part of the canons of Esztergom elected Kalán as archbishop in 1204, his election was not confirmed by the Holy See. Kalán died when planning to go on a crusade to the Holy Land.
John was a prelate in the Kingdom of Hungary in the 12th and 13th centuries. He was Bishop of Csanád between 1198 and 1201, Archbishop of Kalocsa from 1202 to 1205 and Archbishop of Esztergom between 1205 and 1223. He crowned Ladislaus III of Hungary, Andrew II of Hungary and Coloman of Halych king. Andrew II appointed him to govern the kingdom during his crusade between 1217 and 1218.
Lodomer was a prelate in the Kingdom of Hungary in the second half of the 13th century. He was Archbishop of Esztergom between 1279 and 1298, and Bishop of Várad from 1268 till 1279. He was an opponent of Ladislaus IV of Hungary whom he excommunicated for failing to force the Cumans to adopt the Christian way of life. After Ladislaus' death, Lodomer and his suffragans were dedicated supporters of Andrew III of Hungary, who aimed to restore strong royal power against the rebellious lords and oligarchs.
Gregory Bicskei was a prelate in the Kingdom of Hungary at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. He was the elected Archbishop of Esztergom between 1298 and 1303. Supporting the claim of the Capetian House of Anjou, he was a tough opponent of Andrew III of Hungary. He crowned Charles I of Hungary king with a provisional crown in 1301. He was murdered in Anagni by soldiers whom Philip IV of France had sent to Italy to capture Pope Boniface VIII.
Apa or Appa was a nobleman in the Kingdom of Hungary in the second half of the 12th century, who held courtly positions and elevated into the dignity of Ban of Slavonia during the last period of the reign of Géza II of Hungary.
Marcellus was a Hungarian prelate at the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries, who served as Bishop of Vác from around 1111 to 1113, then Archbishop of Esztergom from around 1116 until his death.
Lawrence was a Hungarian prelate at the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries, who served as Archbishop of Esztergom from around 1105 until his death. He was a faithful confidant of Coloman, King of Hungary and the initiator of large-scale church organizational and canon law reforms in the Kingdom of Hungary.
Acha was a Hungarian prelate in the second half of the 11th century, who served as Archbishop of Esztergom from around 1087 to 1090.
Felician was a Hungarian prelate in the first half of the 12th century, who served as Archbishop of Esztergom from around 1125 until his presumably death in 1139 or later.
Martyrius or Martirius was a Hungarian prelate in the 12th century, who served as Bishop of Veszprém from around 1127 to 1137, Bishop of Eger from 1142 to 1150, and finally Archbishop of Esztergom from 1151 until his death.
Nicholas from the kindred Kán was a Hungarian prelate in the second half of the 13th century, who served as Archbishop-elect of Esztergom in 1273, and from 1276 until 1278. Simultaneously, he held various posts in the royal chancellery. As a loyal partisan of queen regent Elizabeth, he was an active participant in the feudal anarchy, when groupings of barons fought against each other for supreme power during the minority of king Ladislaus IV. For which, papal legate Philip of Fermo excommunicated him.
Nicholas Dörögdi was a Hungarian prelate in the first half of the 14th century. He was elected Archbishop of Esztergom between 1329 and 1330, then Bishop of Eger from 1330 until his death.
Peter Kőszegi was a Hungarian prelate in the 13th century, who served as Bishop of Veszprém from 1275 until his death. He was also unrecognized Archbishop-elect of Esztergom between 1277 and 1278. As a member of the powerful Kőszegi family, he subordinated his diocese to his family's political interests in order to extend their influence over Western Hungary.
Paul was a Hungarian prelate in the twelfth century, who served as Archbishop of Kalocsa between around 1111 and 1113.
Paul from the kindred Balog was a Hungarian prelate in the 13th century, who served as Bishop of Veszprém from 1263 until his death. Simultaneously, he also held various positions in the royal court.