Ironically, the next unfortunate incident in which Louis [VII] was involved began with a Church matter [ironic because he was famous for his piety]. He insisted on appointing his chancellor Cadurc as archbishop of Bourges, despite the fact that Pierre of Le Châtre had been canonically elected and had even received the Pallium from the pope. The king refused to allow Pierre to enter Bourges, whereupon Innocent II placed France under an interdict; he also sent Louis a stern letter telling him to stop acting ‘like a silly schoolboy’. The king’s reaction was to take a solemn oath to keep Cadurc as archbishop.
[…]
Eleanor’s [Louis’ wife] younger sister Petronilla had eloped with count Raoul of Vermandois, who was the king’s cousin and grand seneschal of France. Although Raoul was married and much older, the queen gave Petronilla her complete support. Raoul persuaded his brother the bishop of Noyon and two other prelates to annul his marriage on grounds of consanguinity and then married Petronilla with royal approval.
Horrified, St Bernard protested to the pope, who excommunicated the bishop of Noyon and ordered Raoul to return to his first wife. No one took any noticed.
Source:
Seward, Desmond. “Queen of France.” Eleanor of Aquitaine. New York: Times , 1979. 32. Print.
Further Reading:
Louis VII of France / Louis le Jeune (Louis the Young)
Gregorio Papareschi / Innocentius II (Pope Innocent II)
Aliénor d'Aquitaine (Eleanor of Aquitaine)
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