Abstract

The aim of this essay is to illustrate how and why the election of Pope Honorius II (1124-1130) was depicted in two opposing versions, each focusing on elements not found in the other. From Cardinal Deusdedit's letter dated early 1125, it seems nothing worth mentioning happened during the election. Cardinal Pandulf's account included in the Liber Pontificalis in the Tortosa manuscript, written between 1133 and 1138, on the other hand, shows lay violence playing a significant role. The chapter will consider the extent to which Pandulf's involvement in the schism following the death of Honorius and his support for Anacletus II played a part in his hostility towards the dead Pope and why, arguing that Pandulf's text represented an attack on the election of Innocent II, Anacletus's rival.

Keywords: Honorius II, Papal election, Violence, Pandulf, Anacletus II, Innocent II.

Dearest [friend] and Illustriousness please be aware that I am well and safe and that there can be no doubt that Calixtus of blessed memory departed this life virtuously. Wherefore, God's remarkable compassion knew that its Church would not be deprived of its shepherd long, but quickly appointed Honorius as its bishop, to whom, my venerable friend, I suggest you send quite quickly worthy representatives so that through our friends and me you can at least renew your prerogatives for the better. But now and then God allows things He would not want [to happen], I do not know why. People rejoiced and began the ≪Te Deum laudamus≫, but half-way through, while Lamberto was singing loudly along with us and with the congregation, Roberto Frangipane was wicked enough to turn the sound of the harp into lamentation and the angelic singing into weeping. What can I say? What Cencio did yesterday to Gelasius, Roberto did today to Celestine. The wretched Tebaldo, however, could not forget those blows and lashes until he died, even had he wanted to, in as much as he died during them.