User:Kansas Bear/Hugh IV of Nordgau

The council of Pavia was convened by the emperor Frederick Barbarossa in 1160 and was part of the conflicts between the papacy and the Empire at the end of the 12th century.

Context
Following the death of Pope Adrian 1st September 1159, the conclave of cardinals was divided, especially since there existed at that time an Italian party and a party imperial respectively supporting two candidates, the future Alexander III and Victor IV. Roland Bandinelli, barely elected 7 September 1159, under the name of Alexander III, was thus opposed by Octavian who succeeded in taking military possession of the Vatican. Called by both parties, the emperor, referring to Charlemagne and Otto I summoned the two rivals to resolve this question before a council planned in Pavia. This initiative reflects the concept of Frederick Barbarossa, according to which the emperor is the bailiff of the Church and must decide in the uncertain papal elections.

Council
The council was open 5 February 1160 by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. Alexander III refused to comply with this summons by declaring that the pope can not be judged. The council, however, met in February 1160, from the 5th to the 11th, in the Cathedral of Pavia. Alexander's supporters not having been admitted, Octavian was confirmed pope in accordance with expectations, and took the name of Victor IV; at the same time, on February 8, the assembly excommunicated Alexander III who, in turn, launched from Anagni the anathema against the emperor and his protégé and encourages rebellion, particularly in Lombardy and Germany.

Consequences
This Council of Pavia caused a schism which lasted approximately eight years. Going beyond the simple religious framework, it increases political dissension throughout Europe. Alexander III who took refuge in France, where he resided until 1165, was supported by the king Louis VII and Henry II of England, while the Germany and other countries declare for Victor IV and Italy remains divided. After multiple vain attempts, the emperor was unable to rally Henry II and Louis VII to his cause. On the military level he also failed to impose himself, and, despite the appointment in 1164 of a second antipope Paschal III and the desire to take revenge, he could not what to note in 1168, at the death of the latter, the submission of his successor Calixtus III whom he had disavowed, and the triumph of Alexander.