Adalbero of Würzburg

Adalbero of Würzburg (or Saint Adalbero; 1010 – 6 October 1090) was Bishop of Würzburg and Count of Lambach-Wels.

Life Born around 1010 in Lambach, Adalbero was the youngest son of Count Arnold II of in Upper Austria (of the family of the ) and his wife the Countess Reginlindis. Adalbero was the nephew of Bishop Bruno of Würzburg. After his studies in the cathedral school at Würzburg and later in Paris, Adalbero became a canon of Würzburg. It was during this time that he probably composed the earliest surviving set of rules for rithmomachia under the name "Asilo". In 1045, King Henry III, nominated Adalbero successor to Bruno as Bishop of Würzburg. adding the east crypt and the east choir. He established the "Neumünsterkirche" ("New Minster Church") (built between 1058 and 1063). Significant contributions in the reform of ecclesiastical life are attributed to him. He was in close contact with the reformers at Cluny, Gorze and Hirsau. He brought the monk Egbert from Gorze, who proved extremely effective firstly in bringing about the renewal of Münsterschwarzach Abbey and then, through the spread of the subsequent Münsterschwarzach Reforms, in exerting an influence far beyond it, from near Stade in the north to Melk.

In 1056 he began the restoration of the Lambach Abbey, founded by his father in the family castle. After the death of Henry III that same year, Adalbero, godfather to Henry IV, spent more time attending court, Having succeeded in raising the citizens against Adalbero, the bishop had to leave the city. King Henry appointed a series of anti-bishops.

In 1086 Rudolf of Rheinfelden returned him to Würzburg, but he was soon ejected again. Adalbero rejected all attempts at mediation, saying that he would die rather than yield. At the Synod of Mainz in 1085 therefore he was formally deposed and forced into exile. He remained faithful to the pope, and was sent to his monastery in Lambach. In 1088 Adalberone renounced his episcopal dignity and dedicated the monastery of Komburg, near Schwabisch Hall, in Württemberg. The following year, he was also co-founder of Zwiefalten Abbey in Swabia. On 6 October 1090 he died in Lambach and was buried in the abbey church which he himself had founded and dedicated.

Veneration Soon after his death he began to be venerated as a saint in his Austrian home, and his veneration in Münsterschwarzach is evidenced since the 17th century.

In 1883 Pope Leo confirmed Adalbero a saint in the worldwide church. In the "Neumünsterkirche" in Würzburg since 1948 there has been a glass shrine, by Josef Amberg, containing a thighbone of Adalbero as a relic. Also in Würzburg is the neo-Romanesque St. Adalbero's church.

Iconography Adalberone is represented with a church in his hand.