Refusal to plunder Constance

 Adalbold II of Utrecht (975-1026) was a contemporary of St. Henry (973-1024). Adalbold was the Bishop of Utrecht from 1010 to 1026. He knew Henry and wrote a biography of him. Only 3 years of this biography survive, the years 1002 to 1004. It has been translated into English by D.P. Curtin and published in 2010 by Dalcassian Press as "On the Deeds of St. Henry." The following is a quote from that book. 


In 1002: "...he (Henry) held the duchy in the Bavarian kingdom, ruled the people peacefully, increased peace, augmented the resources of the churches, and magnified laws and religious observances."


Adalbold tells of how Duke Hermann, who opposed Henry being made king, had entered Strasbourg with an army and had desecrated the church there and taken spoils because the Bishop of Strasbourg supported Henry becoming king. At a later time, when Hermann went into hiding with his men to avoid battle with Henry, some advised Henry to go to Constance to repay Hermann for what he had done to Strasbourg. This is because the Bishop of Constance had supported Hermann. Adalbold posited this was because the Bishop of Constance was in fear due to his proximity to Hermann. Henry refused to retaliate against Constance because of Strasbourg. Adalbold quotes Henry as saying, "Perhaps, even if I were to lay waste to Constance for Strasbourg, I would not lessen my loss but double it. Moreover, he acquires the kingdom badly who, in obtaining it, neglects the salvation of his soul. God has crowned me not for the violation of churches, but for punishing the violators."

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