Herbert, Saint

HERBERT, Saint. - Archbishop of Cologne, b. ca. 970 to Count Hugh of Worms, d. March 16, 1021. He attended the cathedral school of Worms and that of the monastery of Gorze near Metz. Still young, he became provost of the cathedral of Worms and in 994 chancellor for Italy; from 998 to 1002 he was archchancellor for Germany and, as such, friend, counselor and traveling companion of Emperor Otto III. In 999 the Church of Cologne chose him as archbishop and Pope Sylvester II confirmed him, on July 9, 999, at Benevento. On Jan. 23, 1002 E. was present at the death of the young emperor Otto III at Paternò and carried his body and the imperial insignia amid grave difficulties as far as Aachen. After the accession to the throne of King Henry II, E. renounced the office of chancellor and devoted himself entirely to his diocese.

According to his biographer Lambert of Deutz and the Annals of Quedlinburg, E. was a bishop of profound piety and inexhaustible munificence toward the poor and oppressed of every kind, also toward the convents, especially the Benedictine monastery founded by him in 1002 and the church of Deutz, in which he was buried. E. was not formally canonized, but it seems that the Pope approved his cult. His feast is on March 16.