Balderic of Utrecht

Balderic of Cleves (Oldenzaal, 897 – Utrecht, 27 December 975) was a long-reigning and influential Bishop of Utrecht from 918 to 975. Although his father is only known from one document associating him with Betuwe, and his grave in his son's bishopric in Utrecht, the necrologium of Egmond in Utrecht calls his father count of Cleves (comes clivensis) and the necrologium of the Plechelmusbasilica in Oldenzaal, founded by Balderic, calls Balderic himself "Balderic of Cleves", "de clivis". Jongbloed (2006) argues that although the style of the title seems to be from a later generation, it should not be ignored. He also points to other evidence that the family had associations with the area, which was then referred to as the Duffelgau or Tubelgau. Balderic was a cousin of Duke Gilbert of Lorraine and the uncle of Bishop Balderic of Liège. He was the son of Count Ricfried in the Betuwe, who expelled the Vikings from Utrecht, after which Balderic, who like his immediate predecessors had resided in Deventer, was able to move the bishopric back to Utrecht. In Utrecht, Balderic repaired the forerunner of the Cathedral of Utrecht, St. Martin, and rebuilt the St. Salvator Church, which had been destroyed by the Normans, as well as the convent school that was attached to the Cathedral Chapter. Under his influence, Utrecht became the most important city in the northern Netherlands and he expanded the power of the local diocese so that it could maintain itself between the surrounding counties. This was achieved through his support of the German king, who granted him possessions in return.