Hervé (archbishop of Reims)

Hervé de Reims (c. 860 – 29 June 922) was a 10th century Bishop of France who was the son of Ursus, Count of Champagne. He was consecrated on 6 July 900 by Riculfus, Bishop of Soissons. He consecrated King Robert I of France at Saint-Remi in Reims.[1]

Biography

Hervé, or Hérivé, was a Neustrian aristocrat and political adviser born about 860, who became the dignity of metropolitan bishop of Reims after a warrior career and especially diplomatic leading. Archbishop Hervé de Reims died on his episcopal see in Reims on 2 July 922.[2][3]

Royal diplomat

From a rich Neustrian family, a possible member of the family of Châtillon-sur-Marne, Hervé first married the quarrels of his time. Ardent promoter of the defense of the coasts that lead effectively the Dukes of France against the Normans, it serves the Robertian family. As the quarantine approached, this educated and educated aristocrat gradually slipped into diplomatic representation and the defense of public and religious space. A sign of his political and religious interest, he corresponded with the pope.

The service of the diplomat becomes indispensable to his Robertian patrons. He was appointed counselor and chancellor of King Eudes, who was regularly elected king of West Francie in 888 by the assembly of the great Neustria. But this last duke of France, by despoiling the legitimate Carolingian heir Charles the Simple (sacred in 893) escapes with difficulty the qualifier of usurper of the throne. Understanding the precocious intelligence of Charles III, Hervé was the main architect of the reconciliation agreement between Eudes and the young Carolingian sovereign, after bitter negotiations conducted in 896-897 under the Christian arbitration of Fulk the Venerable, Metropolitan of Reims and Chancellor of Charles.

Eudes recognizes Charles the Simple as his worthy successor and Charles admits the elective legitimacy of King Eudes. The two competing royal administrations merged and, on the death of King Eudes in 898 at La Fere (Eudes recognizes again on his deathbed Charles as his successor), Hervé was appointed adviser to King Charles.

Archbishop of Reims

The royal succession having harmoniously unfolded in 898 thanks to Herve, Charles the Simple fully appreciates the qualities of its adviser. At the height of his power, the young sovereign appointed him heir to his chancellor Fulk the Venerable, metropolitan of Reims: Hervé was therefore appointed Archbishop of Reims in 900 after the assassination of Foulques. He immediately convened and chaired a provincial council to promote a reform of the clergy and to hinder the squandering of church property.

He is cited in several charters including those fixing exchanges of land with Laon where Attila was Bishop.

References

  1. ↑ Fisquet, Honoré (1864). La France pontificale (Gallia Christiana): Metropole de Reims: Reims (in French). Paris: Etienne Repos. p49-52.
  2. ↑ Honoré Fisquet, La France pontificale (Gallia christiana), histoire chronologique et biographique des archevêques et évêques de tous les diocèses de France depuis l'établissement du christianisme jusqu'à nos jours, divisée en 17 provinces ecclésiastiques - Métropole de Reims - Reims, Paris : E. Repos, 1864-1873, pp.49-52
  3. ↑ Robert Parisot, Recherche sur l'histoire de la lotharingie carolingienne, Nancy, 1919.
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