[1] He rose to fame as a mediator when Pope Alexander III was faced with the controversy surrounding the Papal election of 1159, created by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa who supported antipope Victor IV.

Eberhard wrote to Hildegard of Bingen, requesting her prayers during this stressful time.

[2] Eberhard intended to attend the Council of Pavia in 1160, but only got as far as Treviso due to ill health.

[3] Although Archbishop Eberhard I, Count of Hippoldstein, steadily supported Alexander, Barbarossa left him in peaceful possession of his see.

Eberhard was greatly respected for his piety, learning, and integrity; and Frederick needed the support of the German princes for his Italian campaigns.