Alberon (Or Adalberon) I

Alberon (Or Adalberon) I

Alberon (Or Adalberon) I

prince-bishop of Liege, was a brother of duke Godfrey, canon and dean of Metz, and was elected bishop of Liege after the office had been vacant for about two years. This long vacancy was caused by the contentions of the empire and the priesthood concerning the investitures. Peace was made between the two powers Sept. 23,1122; and the following year the emperor Henry V came to celebrate the festivals of the Passover at Liege. During his sojourn the election of bishop took place, and Alberon united all the votes in behalf of his brother, the duke. The first care of this prelate was to clear his diocese of brigands who infested it. Their retreat was the citadel of Fouquemont, from which they were finally driven. Thus, under the episcopacy of Alberon, peace and harmony were restored. About 1123 he founded a monastery on Mount Cornillon; a short time after the one at Floreff.was founded, belonging to the same order. In 1124 he placed the canon monks in the Church of St. Giles-au-Mont. In 1127 Renaud of Martigni, archbishop of Rheims, submitted the laws of his Church to the seigniory of Bouillon and his successors; but he reserved for himself, and those who should come after him in the Court of Rheims, the prerogatives of justice and of military service. At the same time, he received the homage of Alberon. Alberon abolished the ancient custom of mortmain which had prevailed among the bishops of Liege. He died in January, 1129. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.