Jordan (Italian:Giordano da Clivio) was theArchbishop of Milan from 1 January 1112 to his death on 4 October 1120. Born inClivio, he entered the church ofMilan young and was ordained asubdeacon while serving under theArchbishop Grossolano.
He was appointed toSaint-Gilles, inProvence, France, to continue his education, as was typical for Milanese youths of his day. He was recalled in 1111 by Olrico da Corte, thevicedominus, and ordained apresbyter on 1 September by Ariald, Bishop of Genoa. The embattled Archbishop Grossolano travelled to theHoly Land, leaving Guazzone Comino and Amizone da Sala in charge with Arderic, Bishop of Lodi, as his actingvicar. On New Year's Day a council of equal numbers of supporters and opponents of the archbishop convened in his absence and, deposing him, elected Jordan to replace him. In February, Landulf, Bishop of Asti, consecrated the new archbishop to his post and, together with Ariald and Mainard, Bishop of Turin|Mainard of Turin, did homage to Jordan as hissuffragans. Atto, Bishop of Acqui, and Arderic of Lodi refused to do homage to the new bishop and remained loyal to Grossolano. On 6 December, Mainard formally deposed Grossolano at the altar in S. Ambrogio. Jordan and Bernard, Bishop of Pavia, proclaimed a general peace throughoutLombardy, of which Jordan was now theprimate. He received the recognition ofPope Paschal II, legitimising the irregularities of his election.
In August 1113, Grossolano returned from his pilgrimage. Tensions were raised in the city of Milan, where the old archbishop still had some supporters. Finally, on 11 March 1116, Paschal declared Grossolano's transferral from the see ofSavona to that of Milan to be invalid and thus null. He was transferred back to Savona and Jordan was again confirmed as the legitimate Ambrosian pontiff.
Jordan was a staunch papist (laterGuelph) and under him Milan was a centre of anti-imperial feeling. His episcopate saw the citizens of Milan grow in power. In 1116, they began electing consuls, with all secular powers that had been theretofore reserved for the bishops. In a solemn ceremony at S. Tecla, Jordan even excommunicated the reigning emperor,Henry V.
Jordan interfered extensively in his suffragan diocese. He deposed Armanno da Gavardo fromBrescia and made the elected Villanus, Bishop of Brescia|Villanus bishop there. He deposed Ugo da Noceto inCremona and raised Oberto da Dovara in his place. He intervened in the episcopal succession toComo in 1118 and sparkeda nine-year war between the cities of Milan and Como. In Spring 1120, he met the returningPope Callistus II atTortona (the pope had been visiting France). Jordan died in the fall of 1120 and was buried in his basilica. He was succeeded by Olrico, who had first recalled him from Provence.
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$=considered an intruder by theCatholic Church | |
