1st Edition

Hugh of Amiens and the Twelfth-Century Renaissance

By Ryan P. Freeburn Copyright 2011

    Hugh of Amiens (c. 1085-1164) was an important intellectual figure in the twelfth century. During a long life he served as a cleric, Cluniac monk, abbot, and archbishop of Rouen. He wrote a number of works including poems, biblical exegesis, anti-heretical polemics, and most importantly one of the earliest collections of systematic theology, his Dialogues. This book examines all of Hugh's writings to uncover a better understanding not only of this individual, but also of the twelfth-century as a whole, especially the theological preoccupations of the period, including the development of systematic theology and views on the differences of the monastic and clerical ways of life.

    Introduction; Chapter 1 Hugh of Amiens:; Chapter 2 The Epistola Gravioni:; Chapter 3 The Poems of Hugh of Amiens; Chapter 4 The Dialogues and the Early Stages of Systematic Theology; Chapter 5 Hugh of Amiens and the Monastic Life:; Chapter 6 A Saintly Crusader and Hermit:; Chapter 7 ‘In principio Deus creavit’:; Chapter 8 Hugh of Amiens and the Heretics:; Chapter 9 Speculation, Contemplation and a Host of Septenaries:; Chapter 10 De memoria:; Chapter 101 Conclusion;

    Biography

    Ryan P. Freeburn is Chairman of the Department of History at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy,Ontario, Canada. His research interests include the Twelfth-Century Renaissance, monasticism, and medieval Church reform movements.

    'Ryan P. Freeburn... has written a highly learned book on a little-known but clearly impressive figure from the rich twelfth-century renaissance, the archbishop of Rouen in Normandy, Hugh of Amiens (ca. 1085-1164). The book brings a well-documented and thoroughly historical presentation that cannot but convey to the reader a clear conviction of having received accurate knowledge about the treated issues. The presentation is all the way through composed with relevant quotations from the sources in translation, with the Latin text in the notes. ... highly recommendable...' Speculum '... a useful volume [that] offers a good introduction to the surviving works of Hugh of Amiens.' Catholic Historical Review 'This volume provides a useful introduction to Hugh of Amiens and his works, and will be of great value to scholars seeking general information on the author, his main texts and the manuscripts in which they remain.' Downside Review