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Odo of Lagery is elected as Pope Urban II, succeeding Victor III

Pope Urban II (Latin: Urbanus II; c. 1035 – 29 July 1099), otherwise known as Odo of Châtillon or Otho de Lagery, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12 March 1088...

Pope Urban II (Latin: Urbanus II; c. 1035 – 29 July 1099), otherwise known as Odo of Châtillon or Otho de Lagery, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12 March 1088 to his death. He is best known for convening the Council of Clermont, which ignited the series of Catholic military expeditions known as the Crusades.

Pope Urban was a native of France and a descendant of a noble family from the French commune of Châtillon-sur-Marne. Before his papacy, Urban was the grand prior of Cluny and bishop of Ostia. As pope, he dealt with Antipope Clement III, the infighting of various Christian nations, and the Turkish invasions into Anatolia. In 1095, he started preaching for the start of the First Crusade (1096–1099).

Historical Significance

Pope Urban II (Latin: Urbanus II; c.

Events Before

  1. Alfonso VI of León and Castile captures the Muslim taifa of Toledo

    Alfonso VI of León and Castile captures the Muslim taifa of Toledo

  2. San Marcos ministry in Venice initiated

    San Marcos ministry in Venice initiated

  3. Results of the Domesday inquiry are presented to William the Conqueror in Salisbury (the date of compilation and the Gre

    Results of the Domesday inquiry are presented to William the Conqueror in Salisbury (the date of compilation and the Great Domesday are historically contestable)

  4. Abbott Dauferio/Desiderius becomes Pope Victor III

    Abbott Dauferio/Desiderius becomes Pope Victor III

  5. Battle of az-Zallaqah: Almoravid army of Yusuf ibn Tashfin defeats the forces of Castilian King Alfonso VI

    The Battle of Sagrajas (23 October 1086), also called Zalaca or Zallaqah, was a conflict fought in 1086 between the Almoravid army, led by their king, Yusuf ibn Tashfin, and the forces of King...

Events After

  1. Battle at Hagenoorde: German emperor beats earl Egbert II

    Battle at Hagenoorde: German emperor beats earl Egbert II

  2. Battle at Monte Levunium: Byzantium Emperor Alexius I beats Petshegene force invading from the north

    Battle at Monte Levunium: Byzantium Emperor Alexius I beats Petshegene force invading from the north

  3. Floris II de Vette becomes Count of Holland

    Floris II de Vette becomes Count of Holland

  4. Tornado (possible T8/F4) strikes the heart of London, killing two and demolishing the wooden London Bridge (OS 17 Oct) [

    Tornado (possible T8/F4) strikes the heart of London, killing two and demolishing the wooden London Bridge (OS 17 Oct) [1]

  5. Lincoln Cathedral is consecrated in Lincoln, England

    Lincoln Cathedral, also called Lincoln Minster, and formally the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln, is a Church of England cathedral in Lincoln, England.

More from the 1080s

Results of the Domesday inquiry are presented to William the Conqueror in Salisbury (the date of compilation and the Gre

Results of the Domesday inquiry are presented to William the Conqueror in Salisbury (the date of compilation and the Great Domesday are historically contestable)

Anti-pope Clement crowns German King Hendrik IV as Holy Roman Emperor

Anti-pope Clement crowns German King Hendrik IV as Holy Roman Emperor

Alexios I Komnenos is crowned Byzantine emperor

Alexios I Komnenos, Latinized as Alexius I Comnenus, was Byzantine emperor from 1081 to 1118.

Battle at Mailberg: Vratislav II of Bohemia defeats Leopold II, Margrave of Austria

Leopold II (1050 – 12 October 1095), known as Leopold the Fair (German: Luitpold der Schöne), a member of the House of Babenberg, was Margrave of Austria from 1075 until his death in 1095.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 12, 1088?
Pope Urban II (Latin: Urbanus II; c. 1035 – 29 July 1099), otherwise known as Odo of Châtillon or Otho de Lagery, was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12 March 1088 to his death. He is best known for convening the Council of Clermont, which ignited the series of Catholic military expeditions known as the Crusades.
Why is Odo of Lagery is elected as Pope Urban II, succeeding Victor III significant?
Pope Urban II (Latin: Urbanus II; c.

Explore More

March 12 in HistoryYear 1088