Antipope Sylvester IV
Encyclopedia
Sylvester IV was a claimant to the papacy
from 1105 to 1111.
Members of the Roman
aristocracy, with the support of the German king Henry V
(1105–25) set up another antipope
to replace Pope Paschal II
(1099–1118), electing Maginulfo, the Archpriest of St. Angelo in Peschiera
, while Paschal II was outside of Rome. After his election, Maginulfo took the papal name of Sylvester IV and was consecrated in the Church of St. Maria Rotonda (the Pantheon
) and was enthroned
in the Lateran
on November 18, 1105. When Paschal II returned to Rome the next day, Sylvester IV left for Tivoli
and finally settled in Osimo
, Province of Ancona
, under the protection of Count Guarniero di Ancona. On April 11, 1111, Paschal II and King Henry V
reached an agreement about the investiture
of Catholic bishops. Then the king, who had used Sylvester IV to exercise pressure on Paschal II, made the antipope abandon his claim to the office of pope and submit to Paschal II. He was allowed to live out the rest of his life in Ancona with his patron, Duke Guarniero.
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
from 1105 to 1111.
Members of the Roman
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
aristocracy, with the support of the German king Henry V
Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry V was King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor , the fourth and last ruler of the Salian dynasty. Henry's reign coincided with the final phase of the great Investiture Controversy, which had pitted pope against emperor...
(1105–25) set up another antipope
Antipope
An antipope is a person who opposes a legitimately elected or sitting Pope and makes a significantly accepted competing claim to be the Pope, the Bishop of Rome and leader of the Roman Catholic Church. At times between the 3rd and mid-15th century, antipopes were typically those supported by a...
to replace Pope Paschal II
Pope Paschal II
Pope Paschal II , born Ranierius, was Pope from August 13, 1099, until his death. A monk of the Cluniac order, he was created cardinal priest of the Titulus S...
(1099–1118), electing Maginulfo, the Archpriest of St. Angelo in Peschiera
Peschiera
Peschiera may refer to:*a genus of plants in the Apocynaceae family*places in Italy:**Peschiera Borromeo, in the province of Milan**Peschiera del Garda, in the province of Verona...
, while Paschal II was outside of Rome. After his election, Maginulfo took the papal name of Sylvester IV and was consecrated in the Church of St. Maria Rotonda (the Pantheon
Pantheon, Rome
The Pantheon ,Rarely Pantheum. This appears in Pliny's Natural History in describing this edifice: Agrippae Pantheum decoravit Diogenes Atheniensis; in columnis templi eius Caryatides probantur inter pauca operum, sicut in fastigio posita signa, sed propter altitudinem loci minus celebrata.from ,...
) and was enthroned
Enthronement
An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, involving a person—usually a monarch or religious leader—being formally seated for the first time upon their throne. This ritual is generally distinguished from a coronation because there is no crown or other regalia that is physically...
in the Lateran
Lateran
Lateran and Laterano are the shared names of several architectural projects throughout Rome. The properties were once owned by the Lateranus family of the former Roman Empire...
on November 18, 1105. When Paschal II returned to Rome the next day, Sylvester IV left for Tivoli
Tivoli, Italy
Tivoli , the classical Tibur, is an ancient Italian town in Lazio, about 30 km east-north-east of Rome, at the falls of the Aniene river where it issues from the Sabine hills...
and finally settled in Osimo
Osimo
Osimo is a town and comune of the Marche, Italy, in the province of Ancona, 15 km south of that town by rail. It is situated on a hill near the Adriatic Sea.Silk-spinning and the raising of cocoons are carried on.-History:...
, Province of Ancona
Ancona
Ancona is a city and a seaport in the Marche region, in central Italy, with a population of 101,909 . Ancona is the capital of the province of Ancona and of the region....
, under the protection of Count Guarniero di Ancona. On April 11, 1111, Paschal II and King Henry V
Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor
Henry V was King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor , the fourth and last ruler of the Salian dynasty. Henry's reign coincided with the final phase of the great Investiture Controversy, which had pitted pope against emperor...
reached an agreement about the investiture
Investiture
Investiture, from the Latin is a rather general term for the formal installation of an incumbent...
of Catholic bishops. Then the king, who had used Sylvester IV to exercise pressure on Paschal II, made the antipope abandon his claim to the office of pope and submit to Paschal II. He was allowed to live out the rest of his life in Ancona with his patron, Duke Guarniero.