Godbald

Who is Godbald?

Godbald was a bishop of Utrecht from 1114 to 1127.

Nothing is known about Godbald's origins. He was Provost at the chapter of the Johns-church in Utrecht and was closely involved in the management of the bishops Conrad of Swabia and Burchard before he was himself elected as bishop in 1114, after a lengty vacancy.

On his elevation, his first act was to restore order in the Zeelandic part of the diocese, that belonged to the County of Flanders. The heretical preacher Tanchelm had tried to get the area transferred to the bishopric of Terwaan, which was governed by a like-minded bishop. Tanchelm died in 1115, but his influence remained. In 1123, Godbald founded a Norbertine monastery in Middelburg, which was assigned to combat the heresy of Tanchelm.

Godbald was a reform-minded man. This was shown by his involvement in the founding of the St. Laurens abbey near Oostbroek at De Bilt, which was the first monastery in the diocese to join the Cluniac movement. Godbald sided with the pope in the Investiture Controversy. During a visit of Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor to Utrecht in 1122, the following of the emperor clashed with the bishop's ministrials, after which Godbald was taken prisoner. He was soon released, but at the cost of major concessions. The city of Utrecht was given several important city rights; they were allowed to build an earthen wall around the city and they received financial favours at the cost of the bishopric.