Arnold II of Isenburg

Arnold II of Isenburg ( – 1259) was Archbishop of Trier from 1242 to his death. A long-time member of the cathedral chapter in Trier, he held several provostships before being elected as archbishop, succeeding his uncle Theoderich von Wied. The election was controversial, and king Conrad IV of Germany granted the regalia to Rudolf de Ponte, the opposing candidate, instead. Arnold was confirmed as archbishop by Pope Innocent IV and consecrated in 1245. Arnold opposed Conrad and the Hohenstaufen claim to the throne, and elected Henry Raspe and later William II of Holland as German kings. During his reign, he fortified several towns and built various castles. He died in Montabaur in early November 1259 and is buried in Trier Cathedral. Early life and career Arnold was born . His father was and his mother was Theodora von Wied, the sister of Theoderich von Wied, who was Archbishop of Trier 1212–1242. His cousin was Siegfried III, archbishop of Mainz; another likely relative was Konrad von Hochstaden, archbishop of Cologne. Arnold was likely educated at the cathedral school in Cologne and spoke Italian. Before , he became a member of the cathedral chapter in Trier, where he was cellarer from 1212. Arnold became archdeacon of St. Lubentius in Dietkirchen in 1217 and cathedral provost in 1228. The provostship at the cathedral, the second highest position in the diocese after the episcopal seat, had become vacant upon the death of Rudolf de Ponte (senior); Arnold's main competitor for this position was another member of the , also called Rudolf, who was given the provostship of St Paulin instead in order to ascertain Arnold's election. Before 1220, he became provost of ; from 1236, he was provost of St Mary at Erfurt and of St Castor in Koblenz.