Anselm of Havelberg - Life

Life

Anselm's birthplace is uncertain. He was a pupil of Norbert of Xanten at Laon, and then was appointed to the Bishopric of Havelberg in the Northern March. Because Havelberg was then controlled by the Polabian Slavs, Anselm's provisional seat was in Jerichow. He served as papal legate and overall commander of the 1147 Wendish Crusade. After Havelberg was recovered by the Saxons during the campaign, cathedral construction was begun.

Anselm was sent by Lothair III, Holy Roman Emperor, to Constantinople in 1136. in the hope of a Byzantine alliance. He held theological discussions with Nicetas of Nicomedia, an account of which he wrote later as his Dialogues, at the request of Pope Eugenius III. His account tended to play down the theological differences, including the filioque clause, but was more stark on the political issues. A later encounter with Basil of Achrida in 1154 proved fruitless.

Anselm also served as Archbishop of Ravenna from 1155-8. He died in Milan.

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