Urban II (1042?-1099) was elected pope in 1088. Like the popes he followed, Urban was a vigorous reformer. He held a series of councils to promote the moral and institutional reform of the church. In 1095, Urban held a great council at Clermont, France. Although this council issued important reform decrees, it is best known for launching the call for what became the First Crusade. See Crusades (How the Crusades began) .
Urban faced continuous and stormy opposition from the German emperor, Henry IV. Throughout the pope’s reign, he had to contend with antipopes who denied him full control of Rome. However, Urban was a brilliant diplomat. His manipulation of northern Italian politics prevented the emperor or the pope’s other enemies from concentrating their attention on him.
Urban significantly increased the papacy’s prestige by his elegant personal bearing, by his diplomatic skill, by launching the First Crusade, and by expanding papal authority into Spain. He was born in Chatillon-sur-Marne, France, near Epernay. His given name was Odo. He died on July 29, 1099.
