Urban II

Otho de Lagery, later known as Pope Urban II, was born in Lagery, a small village in the Champagne region of France. His family was of noble lineage, which provided him with a strong educational foundation.

At the age of 15, Otho de Lagery entered the abbey of Saint-Médard in Soissons, where he began his monastic studies. This marked the beginning of his religious education and spiritual development.

Otho de Lagery joined the Benedictine Order at the abbey of Cluny, one of the most influential monasteries in Europe. Here, he deepened his theological knowledge and committed himself to a life of prayer and service.

Pope Gregory VII appointed Otho de Lagery as the Cardinal Bishop of Ostia, a significant position within the Roman Curia. This appointment recognized his theological acumen and administrative skills.

On March 12, 1088, Otho de Lagery was elected Pope and took the name Urban II. He faced the challenge of a divided Church and a papacy weakened by the Investiture Controversy with the Holy Roman Empire.

Urban II convened the Council of Piacenza, which addressed various issues within the Church, including the investiture controversy and the need for reform. The council also received appeals for assistance from the Byzantine Empire against the Seljuk Turks.

On November 27, 1095, Urban II delivered his famous speech at the Council of Clermont, calling for a crusade to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule. This speech marked the beginning of the First Crusade.

Following Urban II's call to arms, the First Crusade was launched. Thousands of knights and pilgrims from across Europe set out to reclaim Jerusalem, marking a significant turning point in medieval history.

Pope Urban II died on July 29, 1099, in Rome, just weeks after the Crusaders captured Jerusalem. He did not live to see the full impact of his call to the First Crusade, but his legacy as a reformer and leader of the Church endured.