Bruno of Magdeburg

BRUNO di MAGDEBURGO. - Cleric of the cathedral of Magdeburg in Saxony, who lived in the 11th century. An ardent supporter and friend of Bishop Werner of Merseburg, he experienced the drama of the Saxon people and saw in Henry IV the persecutor of his own nation, as well as the obstinate opponent of Gregorian and reforming action. Such sentiments color his brief account of the struggles of the Saxons against the Salian usurper: the De bello saxonico (1073-1081), a source of the greatest interest, although one to be used with discernment in view of its manifest partiality. In its light may be understood the exaggerations and even the gravest omissions, such as that of the Council of 1080. One may note a progressive enrichment of the information, which shows the author's ever increasing interest in his work.