Conrad, Bishop of Utrecht

Conrad, bishop Of Utrecht was born in Suabia. He was at first chamberlain to the archbishop of Cologne; then had charge of the education of prince Henry, afterwards Henry IV; emperor of Germany. After the death of William de Pont, in 1075, Conrad was chosen his successor. He accomplished the construction of the fort of Ysselmonde, opposite Rotterdam. Robert the Frison, count of Flanders, restrained by this fortress, contested its possession with Conrad, who was conquered and taken prisoner, and obliged to yield to Robert a part of Holland as well as the isle of Ysselmonde. The emperor: Henry IV, made amends to the prelate by the gift of the county of Stavoren, on October 30, 1077, and on February 7, 1086, of those of Ostergo and Westergo. Conrad warmly espoused the cause of Henry IV when Gregory VII wished to depose him. He was the architect and designer, as well as the founder, of the college of Notre Dame at Utrecht. Conrad was assassinated in his palace at Utrecht, April 14, 1099. He wrote, Pro Imperatore contra Papam, published in the Apologia pro Heanrico IV (Hanau, 1611). This discourse, the style of which is concise and smooth, was delivered by Conrad at the assembly of Gerstungen in 1085. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.; Biog. Universelle, s.v.; Jocher, Allgemeines Gelehrten-Lexikon, s.v.