The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Engelbert, Saint

ENGELBERT, Saint, archbishop of Cologne: b. Berg, 1185; d. 1225. In 1206 he was excommunicated but was restored to friendly relations with the Church and reinstated two years later. In 1216 he was appointed archbishop of Cologne. He was one of the most progressive men of his age; he greatly improved the administration and governmental methods of his see; patronized agriculture, the industries and art, and opposed the repressive and cruel methods of the feudal barons. He reformed the electorate and after 1220 was administrator of the empire. In 1222 he crowned Henry VII. He was assassinated by hirelings of his nephew whom he had accused of maladministration. He is commemorated as a martyr on 7 November, although he has never been formally canonized. Consult Stoffel, ‘Engelbert der Reichsverweser’ (Elberfeld 1893).