Peter Igneus

Who was Peter Igneus?

Saint Peter Igneus was an Italian Benedictine monk of the congregation of the Vallombrosians, abbot and Cardinal Bishop of Albano. He is often referred to as a member of the Aldobrandini family but this familiar denomination is not attested in the contemporary sources.

The struggle waged against simony in the eleventh century led to violent scenes in several Italian cities. At Florence, Bishop Peter Mezzobarbo, known also as Peter of Pavia, was publicly accused of simoniacal acquisition of the episcopal dignity. As he strenuously denied the charge and had numerous and prominent supporters, the controversy caused intense agitation at Florence. The Vallombrosian monks were his chief accusers, and upon the insistence of the people for proof, the judgment of God, or trial by fire, was resorted to. The Abbot St. John Gualbert designated for the test Peter Aldobrandini, who successfully underwent the ordeal, hence called "Igneus", or Fire-tried. This triumph of the monks was followed by confession on the part of the bishop.

Peter Igneus subsequently became abbot of S. Salvatore in Fucecchio, and in 1072 Cardinal Bishop of Albano.