Alexander II (died April 21, 1073), born
Anselmo da Baggio, was
Pope from 1061 to 1073.
He was born in
Milan. As
bishop of Lucca he had been an energetic coadjutor with
Hildebrand in endeavouring to suppress
simony, and to enforce the
celibacy of the clergy.
His election, which Hildebrand had arranged in conformity with the decree of 1059 (see
Pope Nicholas II), was not sanctioned by the imperial court of Germany. This court, true to the practice observed by it in the preceding elections, nominated another candidate,
Cadalus,
bishop of Parma, who was proclaimed at the council of
Basel under the name of
antipope Honorius II (1061–72), marched to Rome, and for a long time threatened his rival's position. At length, however, he was forsaken by the Germanic court and deposed by a council held at
Mantua; and Alexander II's position remained unchallenged.
In 1065, he admonished
Landulf VI of Benevento "that the conversion of Jews is not to be obtained by force."
In 1066, he entertained the
embassy from
William the Conqueror which had been sent to obtain his blessing for the
Norman conquest of England. This he gave to them, gifting to them a
papal ring, the standard of
St. Peter, and a papal
edict to present to the English
clergy saying that William was given the papal
blessing for the bid for the
throne. These favours were instrumental in the submission of the English
church and
people following the
Battle of Hastings.
Alexander II oversaw the suppression of the 'Alleluia' during the Latin Church's celebration of Lent. This is followed to this day, and in the Tridentine rite 'Alleluia' is also omitted during the pre-Lenten season.
Alexander II was followed by his associate Hildebrand, who took the title of
Gregory VII (1073–85).