The Papal Reform of the Eleventh Century Lives of Pope Leo IX and Pope Gregory VII

by Robinson, I. S.

• ISBN13: 9780719038754
• ISBN10: 0719038758
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-08-05
• Publisher: MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY PRESS

Summary

The eleventh-century papal reform transformed the western European Church and society and permanently altered the relations of Church and State in the west. The reform was inaugurated by Pope Leo IX (1048-54) and given a controversial change of direction by Pope Gregory VII (1073-85). This book contains the earliest biographies of both popes, presented here for the first time in English translation with detailed commentaries. The biographers of Leo IX were inspired by his universally acknowledged sanctity, whereas the biographers of Gregory VII wrote to defend his reputation against the hostility generated by his reforming methods and his conflict with King Henry IV. Also included is a translation of Book to a Friend, written by Bishop Bonizo of Sutri soon after the death of Gregory VII, as well as an extract from the violently anti-Gregorian polemic of Bishop Benzo of Alba (1085) and the short biography of Leo IX composed in the papal curia in the 1090s by Bishop Bruno of Segni.

Author Biography

Ian Robinson is Professor of Medieval History at Trinity College, Dublin.

Table of Contents

Series editor's foreword	vi
Acknowledgements	vii
Abbreviations	viii
Introduction	1	(96)
The Life of Pope Leo IX	97	(61)
The Book of Bishop Bonizo of Sutri which is entitled 'To a Friend'	158	(104)
Paul of Bernried, The Life of Pope Gregory VII	262	(103)
Appendix I: Benzo of Alba, To Emperor Henry IV, Book VII, 1-2	365	(12)
Appendix II: Bruno of Segni, The Sermon of the venerable Bishop Bruno concerning Simoniacs, chapters 1-9	377	(14)
Bibliography	391	(26)
Index	417