Anselm II (archbishop of Milan)

Anselm II (died 1097), also known as Anselm of Rho, was the Archbishop of Milan from 1093 to 1097. He belonged to the family of the Lords of Rho, powerful figures in the Milanese area.

Anselm was elected Archbishop of Milan in 1093 as a compromise candidate during the Investiture Controversy, a period of conflict between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Emperors over who had the authority to appoint church officials. Milan, at this time, was deeply divided between the Pataria, a religious reform movement supported by the papacy, and the pro-imperial faction.

His predecessor, Tedaldo, had been appointed by Emperor Henry IV, and was consequently excommunicated by Pope Urban II. While Anselm was seen as more amenable to papal authority than Tedaldo, he still faced considerable opposition from imperial supporters within the Milanese clergy and nobility.

Anselm II's short episcopate was marked by continued struggles to assert papal authority and implement Gregorian reforms in Milan. He worked to combat simony (the buying and selling of ecclesiastical offices) and clerical marriage, both of which were prevalent in the archdiocese. He also attempted to reconcile the opposing factions within Milanese society.

Despite his efforts, Anselm II faced significant resistance, and his authority remained tenuous. He died in 1097, leaving Milan still embroiled in the Investiture Controversy and facing internal divisions. He was succeeded by Arnulf III.