Neufchatel, Berthold De

Neufchatel, Berthold de a Swiss prelate, was born in the latter part of the 11th century, of noble origin. After filling several important ecclesiastical offices, he was elected bishop of Basle in 1122. He followed the custom of the prelates of noble birth, and went to join the aulic cortege of the Roman king, and neglected the affairs of his diocese. We find him at Strasburg in 1123; in 1124 he was a member of the assembly of Mayence, where he favored the pretensions of Philip of Swabia, aspiring to the empire after the death of Henry V. But the majority of votes was in favor of Lothaire, and Lothaire, proclaimed emperor, commenced by treating Berthold as an enemy. Berthold had some difficulty with the monks of Saint-Blaise. The emperor wished to hear the cause, and declared himself in favor of the monks. Berthold was restored to the good graces of the emperor in the year 1130; but a few years later, in 1134, he was obliged to abdicate, and died not long after. The motive of this abdication is not well known. It is believed, however, to have been enjoined Upon him by Innocent II. See Basilea Sacra, page 191; Monuments de l'Histoire de l'ancien eveche de Bale, published by M. Trouillat, passim.