Cencio I Frangipane

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Cencio I Frangipane (also called Cencius or Centius) was a Roman nobleman from the Frangipani family in the late 11th century. He was a Roman consul, a high government position in Rome.

Family and name
The first record about him is from 1066, describing him as “Cencio, son of Giovanni de Imperator.” His father was Giovanni Sardo de Imperator. The family used different surnames over time: Peter is the earliest known member, who carried two surnames. Leo, Peter’s descendant, had two sons, Robert and John; John was the father of Cencius. John and Robert used the name Imperator, while Cencius used Frangipane.

Career and actions
Cencius joined the Gregorian reform movement. His seal appears on a document from Pope Nicholas II that gave Abbot Bernard of Farfa control of the castles Tribuco and Arce. A bishop named Benzone of Alba wrote that Cencius tried to influence the election of Pope Alexander II in 1061.

The kidnapping of the pope
On December 25, 1075, while Pope Gregory VII was celebrating Mass at Santa Maria Maggiore, Cencius kidnapped and imprisoned him. The pope was freed by the people, who blamed Emperor Henry IV. This event is often seen as the start of the Investiture Controversy, a major clash between popes and emperors over who had the power to appoint church officials.

Later years
In the 1080s, the Monte Cassino chronicle called him consul Romanorum, meaning consul of the Romans. In 1084, when Emperor Henry besieged Rome, Cencius supported Gregory in the Leonine City and negotiated with the Normans led by Robert Guiscard. He helped the Normans sack the city in return for saving it, but he kept the pope’s freedom and the papal city intact.

Papal elections and council
In 1085, Cencius backed Odo of Lagery (the future Pope Urban II) for pope, but Desiderius of Benevento was chosen as Victor III. Cencius and Victor had tense relations, but Cencius took part in the Council of Capua in March 1087, where Victor was confirmed pope with Norman support.

Last known activity
The last record of Cencius is from November 1102, when he helped Matilda of Canossa distribute her property.