Richard of Millau

Richard de Millau (Milhau) was an 11th-century Cardinal and a major player in the Gregorian reform implemented in the South of France at the turn of the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Career He entered the Order of Saint Benedict early in life and first entered the monastery of S. Paolo fuori le mura, Rome. He was created cardinal in 1078, elected abbot of Saint-Victor de Marseille (1079–1106), appointed papal legate, then Archbishop of Narbonne (1106–1121), he was a major player in papal policy to regain control of the hierarchy the Church, between Toulouse and Marseille. He was involved in the investiture quarrel between the papacy and the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire between 1075 and 1122. Much of which revolved around the Provençal lands in the Kingdom of Burgundy, attached to the Holy Roman Empire. Family Born about 1052 into an extremely powerful house at the time, his family were of viscounts of Millau, and their actions involved the continuity of power strategies between the various aristocratic families of France. He was the fourth child of Richard II (? – 1051), Vicount de Millau (1023) and his wife Rixinde of Narbonne. His brother Bernat had been abbot of abbé de Saint-Victor before him. He was made Archbishop of Narbonne, in circumstance of controversy and held the see from 1106 until his death. His nephew Arnaud de Lévézou would also be Bishop of Narbonne and other nephews would hold see in Arles and d'Aix.