Archbishop Konrad I., 1105–1147 CE
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German: Konrad von Abenberg
Born: c. 1075 CE
Died: 9 April 1147 CE
Conrad I of Abenberg was Archbishop of Salzburg, Austria, in the first half of the 12th century CE. Born into the Abenberg-Frensdorf nobility, Conrad was raised for a clerical career at the court of Emperor Henry IV, where he was a member of the court chapel. He became a canon in Hildesheim.
After escorting Emperor Henry V to Italy in July 1110 CE, Conrad sided with the Pope during the Investiture Controversy, which eventually led to his exile for several years.
He returned to Salzburg in 1121 CE and played an important role in the major political events of the day, including the election of Lothair of Supplinburg as King of Germany in 1125 CE, and the papal schism of 1130 CE, in which he played a role in the recognition of Pope Innocent II by the king.
During the absence of Lothair of Supplinburg in Italy, Conrad was ordained as Archbishop of Salzburg on 4 June 1133 CE.
As a prince-archbishop, he was very influential in German politics and an extremely energetic reformer, often called “the second founder of the Church of Salzburg“.
He presided over an assembly that supervised the affairs of the religious houses and maintained strong control over tithes. He was responsible for building Salzburg Cathedral and the cathedral cemetery in 1140 CE.
Conrad also supervised the construction of numerous monasteries and the castles of Hohensalzburg, Werfen, and Friesach.
Exile
In July 1110 CE, Conrad accompanied Emperor Henry V to Italy, bringing a strong military escort. However, Conrad sided with the Pope during the Investiture Controversy. Due to further conflicts with imperial officials, Conrad had to flee in 1112 CE and was unable to return to Salzburg until 1121 CE. While in exile, he lived in Tuscany, Admont (in Styria), and Saxony.
Major Political Role
Conrad played an important role in the major political events of the day, including the election of Lothair of Supplinburg as King of Germany in 1125 CE, whom he supported during the fight against the Hohenstaufen usurpation.
During the papal schism of 1130 CE, he played a role in the recognition of Pope Innocent II by the king.
Reform and Administration
On his return from exile in 1121 or 1122 CE, Conrad found his diocese very poor and greatly devastated. He then dedicated his life to reform, as well as the construction of fortifications for the defence of Salzburg.
He maintained strong control over tithes, allocating them between the monasteries and parish priests to avoid disputes over their distribution.
Between 1125 and 1130 CE, he began minting coins at Friesach, which helped fund his projects. Conrad rebuilt and expanded Salzburg Cathedral and built the cathedral chapter house. In 1140 CE, he built the cathedral cemetery and also constructed hospitals for the poor in the city.
Conrad founded several monasteries and reformed others. He completed the construction of the castles of Hohensalzburg, Werfen, and Friesach, which Archbishop Gebhard had started in 1077 CE. In Styria, he reformed the military organisation and administration of church properties, building strong fortresses. For defence against Hungary, he built strongholds at Leibnitz (Seggau), Pettau (Ptuj), and Brestanica Castle. He also expanded the Burg Deutschlandsberg castle located at the centre of the Salzburg possessions in western Styria.
In 1131 CE, he made peace with King Béla II of Hungary, which was followed by a long period of stability in the border region. Conrad died on 9 April 1147 CE in Lungau, Salzburg. An anonymous biography, composed in the 1170s, portrays Conrad as a man of peace.
Second Founder of the Salzburg Church
His role in the royal elections of 1125 and 1138 CE places him among the leading Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg in the High Middle Ages. He earned the title of “second founder of the Salzburg Church”.
