The principal objects of this monograph are two: first to provide a narrative biography of Anselm, bishop of Havelberg and archbishop of Ravenna (ca. 1095-1158), and second to analyze Anselm's works in the light of twelfth-century ideas of history, progress and the Church A follower of St. Norbert of Xanten, Anselm served as an advisor to three German emperors, a diplomat to Constantinople and a papal legate. Historians' knowledge of his life relies primarily on a dissertation by Eugen Dombrowski (Konigsberg: 1880), which is basically an itinerary in narrative form. The present monograph attempts to assess more fully Anselm's personality. Historians since Dombrowski have often seen Anselm as a sycophant. However, a study of the sources of his life shows him to have been just as concerned with developing his own diocese on the eastern border of Saxony as with personal advancement at court. He never wavered from supporting an alliance of church and empire and often mediated between the two sides The second part of this monograph deals with Anselm's concept of the Church, showing that his main concern was for that church as an earthly institution bounded by time. His understanding and defense of the present church sprang directly from his study of its past history. In this he was unique among early twelfth-century exegetes who generally subordinated the study of history to an attempt to intellectualize transcendental mysteries. This is demonstrated by a comparison of Anselm's ideas with those of his contemporaries Rupert of Deutz and Hugh of St. Victor. Other authors are compared to Anselm both to show his unique attitude toward the past and to point to possible sources for his history of the Church The conclusion suggests that Anselm was influenced by Bernard of Clairvaux and Honorius Augustodunensis, but that his works probably had no lasting influence because of his personality and the narrow focus of his thought. In spite of this, a study of his life and works shows the difficulties confronting ideas of historical development posed by the champions of an allegorical interpretation of scripture. Anselm of Havelberg was one of the first to get around them / acase@tulane.edu
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_26128 |
| Date | January 1983 |
| Contributors | Lees, Jay Terry (Author) |
| Publisher | Tulane University |
| Source Sets | Tulane University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Access requires a license to the Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest) database., Copyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law |
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