Antipope Gregory VIII

Antipope 10 March 1118 to 22 April 1121, dying after August 1137. Mauritius Burchinus (Bordino or Bourdin: "donkey") southern France. A Cluniac at Limoges, and educated in Spain. Bishop of Coimbra 1099, before taking a four year pilgrimage to the Holy Land, subsequently becoming Archbishop of Braga. 1114 After a dispute with the Spanish primate and papal legate suspend by Paschal II. In 1116 Paschal II sent Mauritius on an embassy to Emperor Henry V. Mauritius changed sides. When Paschal was forced from Rome in 1117 Henry went there, and on Easter Sunday (23 March) was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Mauritius. Paschal deposed and excommunicated Henry and removed Mauritius from office. When Paschal died 24 January 1118 he was succeeded by Gelasius II. Henry went to Rome but Gelasius remained in Gaeta. The imperial party then annulled Gelasius' election: on 1 March Mauritius was proclaimed pope, taking he name Gregory VIII, Gelasius excommunicated Gregory and Henry. When Callixtus II was elected Pope in 1119 Henry changed sides. When Callixtus entered Rome, Gregory left, going to Sutri, whose citizens handed Gregory over to Callixtus when the town was besieged. Gregory was then confined in various locations until his death, some time after August 1137.