Peter of Capua

Who was Peter of Capua?

Peter of Capua was an Italian theologian and scholastic philosopher, and a Cardinal and papal legate.

Peter was a member of an Amalfitan family. After a being a teacher at the University of Paris, he was employed by Pope Innocent III as legate. He made trips to Poland and Bohemia in 1197, bringing decision of introducing celibacy. He also served as legate to France from 1198. He made a truce between Richard I of England and Philip II of France, in December of 1198. During Peter's meeting with Richard and William Marshal, the northerners found Peter's appearance and obsequious style of diplomacy to be repellent. Peter did succeed in convincing Richard to agree to a conditional five-year truce, but when he persisted in asking that Richard also release Philip of Dreux Richard lost his temper and threatened to castrate Peter.

Peter then took part in the Fourth Crusade. While in Constantinople he acquired relics, including the purported body of St. Andrew, which he brought in the end to Amalfi.

A Life was written by Durand of Huesca. Another Peter of Capua the Younger was in Paris in the early thirteenth century.