Herman II (Archbishop of Cologne)

Herman II (995 – 11 February 1056), of the Ezzonian dynasty, a son of Ezzo, Count Palatine of Lotharingia, was the Archbishop of Cologne from 1036 until his death.

Pope Benoit IX makes him Cardinal around 1036, and grants important privileges to the Church in Cologne. Herman remains loyal to the Emperor Henry III during the revolt led by his nephew Conrad I of Bavaria.

He became Archchancellor of the Regnum Italicum and protector of Brauweiler (1053). His claritas generis allowed him to baptise and crown the German king Henry IV, a privilege that was disputed by the Archbishop of Mainz Luitpold I.

Preceded by Pilgrim

Archbishop of Cologne 1033–1056

Succeeded by Anno II

Literature

• Lewald, Ursula, 'Die Ezzonen. Das Schicksal eines rheinischen Fürstengeschlechts', in Rheinische Vierteljahrsblätter 43 (1979) pp. 120-168