- Hugh of Flavigny
Hugh of Flavigny, or Hugo of Flavigny, was a
Benedictine monk and medieval historian.Biography
Hugh was born about 1064, probably at
Verdun (in Lorraine); d. before the middle of the twelfth century. He belonged to a prominent family, and received his education at the monastery of St-Vannes at Verdun, where he afterwards took the habit of a Benedictinenovice . AsDietrich, Bishop of Verdun was a supporter of theHoly Roman emperor Henry IV and hisantipope ,Clement III , the Abbot of St-Vannes, who supported the pope, was forced to leave his monastery. He went to the Abbey of St-Bénigne atDijon , where he was followed by nearly all of his monks, including Hugh. While at Dijon, the latter made hisvows before the Abbot Jarento, a strong adherent of the ecclesiastical party and an enthusiastic personal friend of PopeGregory VII . Abbot Jarento soon gave Hugh his entire confidence; Hugh, theArchbishop of Lyons was also most friendly towards the young monk and often requisitioned his services. In 1096, notwithstanding his youth, Hugh was electedAbbot of Flavigny , but soon became involved in disputes, not only with theBishop of Autun , in whose diocese he was, but also with his own monks, who wished to make use of all, even dishonest, means in the pope's behalf. On account of these differences, he was obliged on two occasions to flee, and finally to abdicate, although theCouncil of Valence (in 1100) ordered him to be reinstated. These bitter experiences gradually brought about a complete change in his politico-religious views on thequestion of investitures . From a zealous, self-sacrificing champion, he became a determined adversary of the papal claims, even going so far in his opposition as to accept from Bishop Richard of Verdun, a follower of the emperor, the dignity ofAbbot of Verdun , after Abbot Laurentius, who supported the pope, had been quite illegally dispossessed. But he only succeeded in maintaining this position from 1111 to 1114, after which he seems to have lived in strict seclusion at Verdun as a simple monk.Work
As early as his sojourn at Dijon, probably at the instance of Abbot Jarento and Archbishop Hugh, he had begun a
Latin chronicle of the world's history from the birth of Christ down to his own times ("Chronicon Virdunense seu Flaviniacense"). This we possess in two books. The first, which extends to the year 1002, is little more than a loosely planned compilation, and its importance is entirely due to the fragments of older lost works which it contains. The second covers the years from 1002 to 1112 and is valuable especially for the history of Lorraine, and also for the ecclesiastical history of France. With wide erudition Hugh collected a great mass of materials, and where his facts became too unwieldy he abandoned the annalistic form for full and detailed narrative. In this manner he brings out in relief the "Acta Gregorii VII" (papal biography ofGregory VII ); "Series Abbatum Flaviniacensium" (on his predecessors as abbot of Flavigny); "Vita beati Richardi, abbatis S. Vitori" and "Vita S. Magdalvei" (two hagiographies). His account of the papal election ofVictor III is a masterpiece for his period. In general, however, he cannot be said to control his materials. Making no attempt at arrangement, he quotes original documents, his own experiences, or the testimony of others, to whose tales he often gives more credit than they deserve.ource and reference
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* A complete edition of Hugh's Chronicle is given byGeorg Heinrich Pertz in the "Monumenta Germaniae historica", VIII, 288-502, and in J.P. Migne'sPatrologia Latina , CLIV, 21-404.
* Patrick Healy: "The chronicle of Hugh of Flavigny: reform and the investiture contest in the late eleventh century". Aldershot: Ashgate, c 2006. ISBN 0-7546-5526-1; ISBN 978-0-7546-5526-8.- Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising
Hugh of Flavigny
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