ALBERONE. – Archbishop of Trier (1131–1152), descended from a noble family of Lorraine, whose hereditary castle of Montreuil (Monterol) was situated near Toul; born ca. 1080 and died at Trier on 18 January 1152. He spent his youth during the turbulent period that followed the Gregorian reform. A. became a fervent follower of the reforming ideas of the great pontiff Gregory VII. As archdeacon of Metz, he placed himself at the head of the strictly ecclesiastical party, which sought at all costs to abolish the abuses prevailing there. After having rendered great service to the Church of Metz as archdeacon and then as primicerius, in 1130 he was compelled by Pope Innocent II to accept the archiepiscopal see of Trier. With his characteristic energy, he immediately began the difficult work of reform in his diocese.
His friendly relations with St. Norbert and St. Bernard facilitated his success, especially in the reform of the monasteries. His episcopal palace had become a gathering place for scholars. Baldrico (v.), who later became his biographer, as director of the cathedral school. Among the notable events of his administration were: his participation in Lothair’s expedition to Italy in 1136–37; the papal legation to Germany, conferred upon him by Innocent II on 2 October 1137;
his intervention in the election of King Conrad III on 7 March 1138. He died after fully succeeding in restoring discipline in his diocese and bringing it to a state of prosperity that had nothing to envy in the other dioceses of the Empire.