Rainald of Dassel

Rainald of Dassel: Archbishop of Cologne and Archchancellor of Italy

Rainald of Dassel (c. 1120 – 14 August 1167) was a pivotal figure in the 12th-century Holy Roman Empire, holding the influential positions of Archbishop of Cologne and Archchancellor of Italy. As a close and trusted advisor to Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, Rainald exerted significant influence on imperial policy, particularly during the ongoing conflict with the Papacy and within the complex political landscape of Italy, including the struggle between the Guelphs and Ghibellines.

Life and Career

Born into the Counts of Dassel family, Rainald was destined for an ecclesiastical career. He received his education at the Hildesheim Cathedral school and likely studied in Paris. By 1130, he was recognized for his classical learning and became a member of the Hildesheim cathedral chapter. His early career saw him serving as a subdeacon and later as a provost, where he was instrumental in infrastructural development, such as commissioning the first stone bridge over the Innerste river in Hildesheim.

Rainald's political acumen was recognized by Frederick Barbarossa, who appointed him chancellor after his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor in 1155. In this role, Rainald was a strong advocate for imperial authority, notably at the Diet of Besançon in 1157. He vigorously defended the Emperor's rights against papal claims, engaging in notable controversies with papal legates. His forceful personality and strategic mind often pushed Barbarossa's policies further than the emperor might have intended.

Archbishop of Cologne and Political Influence

In 1159, Rainald was appointed Archbishop of Cologne and Archchancellor of Italy. During the papal schism that followed, he actively supported the imperial antipope Victor IV and later Paschal III, seeking to bolster the Emperor's influence over the Church. He undertook diplomatic missions to secure support for the imperial cause from rulers like King Louis VII of France and King Henry II of England. His actions contributed to the escalation of the conflict with the Roman Curia, leading to his excommunication by Pope Alexander III in 1163.

A significant event marking his tenure was the acquisition of the relics of the Three Magi from Milan in 1162, which he brought to Cologne in 1164. These relics became a central element of the Cologne Cathedral's veneration and pilgrimage. Rainald continued to be actively involved in imperial affairs in Italy, leading troops and participating in campaigns. He died likely of malaria in 1167 while in Italy, and his remains were transferred to Cologne for burial.