Medieval Killer Priests were ordained men who, despite being clerics, took up arms. These men of God had no qualms about getting on the battlefield and causing mayhem. Some of them were bishops and abbots who who were more than happy to club an opponent to death. One of them was even a Pope!
MEDIEVAL KILLER PRIEST: The slaughtering Bishop of Bayeaux
Take for example Bishop Odo of Bayeux, the half-brother of William the Conqueror who had no ethical conflicts when he joined the Norman leader for his invasion of England in 1066. Odo enthusiastically hooked up with the army at Hastings and though not permitted to strike or kill with a sword, he resorted to wielding a club with gusto during the battle. Heads were cracked open by His Grace for the greater good.
So proud was Odo of his exploits on that victorious day that he commemorated them in the Bayeux tapestry, which he commissioned, to ensure his contribution was duly immortalised. The tapestry, which depicts the events leading up to and including the Battle of Hastings, prominently features Odo, often shown rallying troops or in council with William.
After the conquest, Odo was made Earl of Kent, a strategically important position in the southeast of England. He became one of the most powerful figures in the new Norman kingdom, second only to William himself, and served as regent during William’s absences. However, he was caught up in financial corruption and incidents of unprovoked violence that led to his imprisonment in 1082.
READ MORE: Were the Knights Templar heretics?
MEDIEVAL KILLER PRIEST: Bishop Otto rides out to crush his own people!
Medieval bishops were major landowners in their own right and could be just as ruthless as any secular ruler in their treatment of the serfs. The downtrodden might decide that their lot was so grim that revolt was the only option.
The people of Drenth, who had been handed over to the not so tender mercies of the Bishop of Utrecht by the Holy Roman Emperor, rebelled against their clerical overlord in 1228. Bishop Otto was in no mood to tolerate this impudence and rode out in to battle with an army to put his surly serfs back in their place.
Unfortunately for Otto he hadn’t reckoned on the level of hatred he had built up in Drenth and his force was defeated at a village called Ane. The bishop was cut down and killed.
MEDIEVAL KILLER PRIEST: Archbishop Absalon slices up pagans!
Then there was Archbishop Absalon of Roskilde who led a campaign for the Danish king against the Wendish people. He captured their stronghold of Rugen, which he then incorporated into his archdiocese. For Absalon, this campaign was also a crusade. The Wends were resolutely pagan and refused to accept Christianity.
So when the archbishop seized their fortress of Arkona, he took a particular delight in demolishing the huge image of their many-faced god Svantevit. This is Absalon and the king taking down the idol. It’s quite difficult to tell who is the king and who is the bishop.
MEDIEVAL KILLER PRIEST: Pope Julius in full battle gear
Consider the astonishing sight of Pope Julius II who was spotted by the great Renaissance thinker Erasmus riding back from a military skirmish in full battle armour. This pope, whose reign spanned from 1503 to 1513, was a powerful and influential figure during the High Renaissance, and he was known for his military actions and political manoeuvering. His penchant for armour led him to be dubbed the “Warrior Pope”.
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