Bruno of Würzburg

Saint Bruno of Würzburg (Bruno of Carinthia) was prince-⁠bishop of Würzburg in Germany and reposed on 27 May 1045. He is commemorated on 27 May (in the West on 17 May). He was not formally canonized by the Roman Catholic Church but is revered as a saint.

He was the son of Conrad I, duke of Carinthia, and Matilda of Swabia, and a cousin of the emperor Conrad II. He was imperial chancellor of Italy from 1027 to 1034 and from 1034 until his death bishop of Würzburg. He courted Agnes of Poitou on behalf of the emperor's son and successor, Henry III. He laid the cornerstone of Würzburg Cathedral, encouraged church-⁠building and spent his private fortune on it.

He died in 1045: the retinue of Henry III had stopped at the residence of Countess Richlinde of Ebersberg, and during a great banquet a load-⁠bearing pillar broke and the floor of the hall collapsed. The king was only slightly hurt, but the countess, Bishop Bruno and Abbot Altmann of Ebersberg were so badly injured that they did not survive more than a few days. Bruno's body was brought back to Würzburg, and the crypt of the cathedral, consecrated on 16 June 1045, served also as his burial place. He was succeeded by his nephew Adalbero. A well-⁠known glossed commentary on the Psalms, widely copied in manuscripts, is attributed to him.