Albert Behaim ( ca. 1190/5 – 1260)

Dean of Passau`s Cathedral of St. Stephen, papal agitator again Emperor Friedrich II.

About 1190/5	born in Böhaming near Niederalteich, educated in Niederalteich
1212	the Canon of Passau`s cathedral
1216	Travelled with bishop Ulrich to the fourth council of the Lateran and remains in Rome as an agent for the Bavarian monasteries and foundations
1239	Papal Agitator in Bavaria against the twice excommunicated emperor Frederic II. In the struggle between the popes (in particular, Gregory the ninth and Innocence the fourth) and the emperor he played a conflicting, rather ill-fated role.
1241	he was expelled from Bavaria
1244	at the papal court in Lyon
1247	unsuccessful attempt to return to Passau, where he had received the office of dean of the cathedral in 1246.
1250	Arranges the deposition of bishop Rüdiger of Passau, a faithful follower of the emperor, and appointment of the papal friendly bishop Berthold. Berthold must use force to gain entry to the city. During the reign of this bishop, Behaim gained absolute powers and used them for positive reforms.
1254	under the reign of the new bishop Otto he lost all his powers
1260	Death

Evaluation: Albert Behaim was a fanatic representative of the papal party against emperor Frederic II. In a subjective and honest way he believed in his ability to be useful for Germany, Bavaria and Passau through his actions. But in reality he caused only confusion and damage to his own objectives. His negative character overshadowed his positive side, that of a scientifically interested researcher, e.g. in the fields of history and natural sciences. He is said to be the author of the oldest annals of Passau.

Anecdote: It is said that on his arrival in Passau in 1250, he was captured by the citizens and executed by being skinned alive. And that that is why the red wolf of Passau is red. But actually he died in 1260 and the coat of arms with the wolf has its origins in the reign of bishop Wolfger.

An illustration of his handwriting:

Thomas Frenz: Albert Behaim - Leben und Werle. In: Thomas Frenz/Peter Herde, Das Brief- und Memorialbuch des Albert Behaim (München 2000; MGH Briefe des späteren Mittelalters 1) s. 1 - 31
Thomas Frenz: Die Bewertungen des Passauer Domdekans Albert Behaim - wissenschaftliches Urteil oder Schwarze Legende? In: Karl Borchardt/Enno Bünz, Forschungen zur Reichs-, Papst- und Landesgeschichte. Festschrift Peter Herde (Stuttgart 1998) Bd. 1 S. 331 - 345

edited by: Thomas Frenz
translation by: Ulrich Sommer
(3.8.2004/13.5.2005)