The Life and Legacy of Duke Simon…

July 1138 CE

The Life and Legacy of Duke Simon I of Lorraine (r. 1115–1138 CE)

Duke Simon I of Lorraine, following the traditional Lorrainer policy of loyalty to the Holy Roman Emperor, played an active role in imperial politics, particularly in the resolution of the Investiture Controversy. His reign was marked by conflicts with ecclesiastical authorities, as well as monastic patronage that left a lasting impact on his duchy.

Loyalty to the Holy Roman Empire and the Investiture Controversy

Simon I accompanied Emperor Henry V to the Diet of Worms in 1122, where the Investiture Controvers ywas formally resolved in the Concordat of Worms.
This reaffirmed Lorraine’s allegiance to the empire, continuing the policy of his predecessors.

Conflicts with the Church and Excommunication

Despite his loyalty to the emperor, Simon I had stormy relations with the bishops and archbishops of his realm:

He fought with Stephen of Bar, bishop of Metz, and Adalberon, archbishop of Trier, both of whom were allied with the count of Bar.
The House of Bar had previously contested the rule of Lorraine, but their claims had been quashed by Henry IV, the father of Henry V.
In retaliation, Archbishop Adalberon excommunicated Simon I, but this was later lifted by Pope Innocent II.

Patronage of Monastic Foundations

Despite his disputes with the episcopacy, Simon I was a close friend of Bernard of Clairvaux, the great Cistercian reformer, and a major patron of monasteries:

He founded many abbeys in Lorraine, reinforcing monastic influence and religious reform in his duchy.
In 1135, he established the Abbey of Sturzelbronn, which would later become his final resting place.

Death and Burial (1138)

Simon I died on April 13, 1138, at Saint-Dié, one of the religious centers of his duchy.
He was initially buried in Saint-Dié, but later reinterred at Sturzelbronn Abbey, which he had founded.

Legacy

Simon I’s rule reinforced Lorraine’s imperial ties, securing its place within the Holy Roman Empire.
Despite his disputes with the clergy, his monastic patronage ensured that religious institutions flourished under his rule.
His friendship with Bernard of Clairvaux placed him within the reforming movements of the 12th century, aligning him with the growing influence of the Cistercians.

Though his reign was marked by conflict and ecclesiastical struggles, Simon I left behind a stronger and more deeply religious Lorraine, shaping the political and spiritual landscape of the region well beyond his lifetime.