who is urban II?

Question

i need some basic information on what urban the II did and what he was mostly known for??

Answer 1

Pope Urban II
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Urban II

Birth name Otho of Lagery
Papacy began March, 1088
Papacy ended July 29, 1099
Predecessor Victor III
Successor Paschal II
Born 1042
Lagery, France
Died July 29, 1099
Rome, Italy
Other popes named Urban
Styles of
Pope Urban II

Reference style His Holiness
Spoken style Your Holiness
Religious style Holy Father
Posthumous style Blessed
Pope Urban II (1042 – July 29, 1099), born Otho of Lagery (alternatively: Otto or Odo), was Pope from 1088 to July 29, 1099. He is most known for starting the First Crusade (1095–99) and setting up the modern day Roman Curia, in the manner of a royal court, to help run the Church.

He was born into nobility in France at Lagery (near Châtillon-sur-Marne) and was church-educated. He was archdeacon of Rheims when, under the influence of his teacher Bruno of Cologne, he resigned and entered the monastery of Cluny where he rose to be prior. In 1078, Pope Gregory VII (1073–85) summoned him to Italy and made him cardinal-bishop of Ostia.

He was one of the most prominent and active supporters of the Gregorian reforms, especially as legate in Germany in 1084, and was among the few whom Gregory VII nominated as possible successors to be Pope. Desiderius, abbot of Monte Cassino, who became Pope Victor III (1086–87) was chosen Pope initially, but after his short reign Odo was elected Pope Urban II by acclamation (March 1088) at a small meeting of cardinals and other prelates held in Terracina. He took up the policies of Pope Gregory VII, and while pursuing them with determination, showed greater flexibility, and diplomatic finesse. At the outset he had to reckon with the presence of the powerful antipope Clement III (1080, 1084–1100) in Rome; but a series of well-attended synods held in Rome, Amalfi, Benevento, and Troia supported him in renewed declarations against simony, lay investiture, and clerical marriages, and a continued opposition to Emperor Henry IV (1056–1105).

Answer 2

Try:
http://www.bartleby.com/65/ur/Urban2.html

and

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15210a.htm

Answer 3

Pope who launched first crusade