ABSTRACT
During the first week of March, 1095, Urban II convened a council at Piacenza.1 Although its significance has been overshadowed by the momentous council held at Clermont in November of the same year, during which Urban II preached the First Crusade, the gathering at Piacenza marked a significant moment in both Urban’s papacy and in the checkered history of the city itself. In the first instance, Urban II was emerging from the exceedingly trying early years since his election in 1088. Assailed by Henry IV, as well as by Clement III, the antipope, he could neither hold Rome securely under his control nor initiate his own program of activities.2 Indeed, he was often absent from Rome. In the second instance, Piacenza, having been in both the imperial and reform camps, was now a firm papal ally and was, of course, eager to benefit from this new, resolutely-forged alliance.
