Balderich of Utrecht

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Balderich (* around 897 in Oldenzaal ; † December 27, 975 ) was Bishop of Utrecht from the Count family in Hainaut , son of Count Richfried, cousin of Duke Giselbert of Lorraine and Count Reginar II in Hainaut.

Born in the county of Twenthe , which belonged to his father's house, Balderich seems to have acquired the Utrecht diocese at an early age. In any case, due to his family connections as well as his personality, he assumed an outstanding position among the greats of the empire early on . King Heinrich I gave him his 4-year-old son Brun for upbringing, and through him he was always in close contact with Emperor Otto I. He was one of the lords of Lorraine who stood on the king's side in the battle between Otto and his son Liudolf in 953 , and his presence is mentioned at various royal days. He was also in Cologne in 965 when Otto met his mother for the first time after his coronation as emperor.

After the devastation suffered by the Normans , he brought his diocese to bloom again through careful and vigorous administration. The school there flourished in high esteem under him. On his death he bequeathed Oldenzaal with part of the county of Twenthe to his monastery. He was long venerated as a saint.

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Remarks

  1. 975 according to the NDB, the ADB gives 977 as the year of death.
predecessor Office successor
Radbod Bishop of Utrecht
917–976
Folkmar