ALBERTO, archbishop of MAGDEBURGO. - Son of the count of Kefernburg (Thuringia), d. in 1232. Having completed his studies at Fildesheim, Paris, and Bologna, he was appointed provost of the chapter of Magdeburgo by Innocent III on 16 February 1202. Subsequently designated archbishop of the city by the chapter, he was ordained priest at Bologna and then consecrated archbishop at Rome in 1206. He built the Cathedral, later destroyed by fire, worked tirelessly for peace in the empire, supporting the cause of Philip of Swabia until the latter's death (1208). He later became a friend of Otto IV, whom he accompanied to Rome in 1209; but when the latter was excommunicated in 1210, he declared for Frederick II. From 1222 to 1224 he was the emperor's legate for northern Italy.
Cesario Van Hulst