Suerbeer was an aggressive supporter of
papal power and tried to take over the whole eastern
Baltic area for the
Holy See. His efforts failed, however, and he was forced to submit to the
Livonian branch of the
Teutonic Knights. Suerbeer was born in
Cologne. He studied in
Paris, received a degree of magister, and became the canon in
Bremen. After the death of
Albert of Riga in 1229, he was appointed Bishop of Riga by
Archbishop of Bremen Gerhard of Oldenburg. The canons of Riga did not recognize his appointment and elected their own candidate Nicholas, who was confirmed by
Pope Gregory IX in 1231. In 1240, Suerbeer became
Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of
Ireland, where he was known as Alberic the German. After taking part in the
First Council of Lyon in 1245, he left Ireland, as
Pope Innocent IV needed him in Germany in his struggle against Emperor
Frederick II. Upon returning to Germany, however, the Pope appointed him Archbishop of
Prussia,
Livonia, and
Estonia, and later also a legate to
Gotland,
Holstein,
Rügen, and
Russia. In 1246 he was given also the vacant
Diocese of Lübeck in Germany. The
Teutonic Knights were wary of Suerbeer and warned him to stay away from Prussia. After Bishop Nicholas of Riga died in 1253, Suerbeer finally received the Bishopric of Riga he had claimed over 10 years. According to a compromise arranged by
William of Modena, Albert promised to stop his activities against the Teutonic Order.
Suffragan bishoprics subordinate to Riga included
Dorpat,
Ösel-Wiek,
Courland,
Sambia,
Pomesania,
Warmia (Ermland), and
Culmerland. His activities regarding the proselytisation of the
pagans and the foundation of a
church union with the
Russian principalities brought him into conflict with the Teutonic Order. While Suerbeer's proselytisation and power policy eventually yielded little success, the competing Teutonic Order attained papal support more easily than the archbishop, thanks to its supraregional presence and comparative wealth. In 1267, however, Suerbeer allied himself with Gunzelin, a son of Count
Gunzelin III of Schwerin, who had come to Livonia as a crusader. He appointed Gunzelin an advocate (governor) of his diocese which resulted in deep conflict with the
Livonian Order. While Gunzelin was recruiting troops in Germany, the Order arrested Suerbeer and kept him imprisoned with only bread and water. Suerbeer was forced to recognize the authority of the Order. Suerbeer died in Riga in 1273. ==References==