Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury and the fear of heresy in late twelfth-century England
Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury was one of the most influential English ecclesiasts of the late twelfth century. He was also a prolific writer, whose writings are significant in their synthesis of Cistercian spirituality and monastic theology. His Liber de Sectis Hereticorum, composed in the 1170s whilst he was still a monk, is a unique example of an anti-heretical treatise produced in England before the rise of Wycliffe, and yet it has received far less attention than his other works. This thesis, for the first time, argues that heresy was an important issue to ecclesiasts in England at this time. Twelfth-century England was a keen observer of continental popular heresy. This perspective inspired debate about the theoretical prospect of heresy which was combined with an active concern for the faith across the country, and how heresy could be identified and confronted. Baldwinâs Liber was the most ambitious manifestation of this discourse which drew inspiration from a second key consideration. This was a recognition that the monasteries, and specifically the Cistercian order, had a special role to play in the Churchâs struggle against heresy. The Cisterciansâ involvement with heresy in the twelfth century
Coley, Suzanne Grace
Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury and the fear of heresy in late twelfth-century England. Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury was one of the most influential English ecclesiasts of the late twelfth century. He was also a prolific writer, whose writings are significant in their synthesis of Cistercian spirituality and monastic theology. His Liber de Sectis Hereticorum, composed in the 1170s whilst he was still a monk, is a unique example of an anti-heretical treatise produced in England before the rise of Wycliffe, and yet it has received far less attention than his other works. This thesis, for the first time, argues that heresy was an important issue to ecclesiasts in England at this time. Twelfth-century England was a keen observer of continental popular heresy. This perspective inspired debate about the theoretical prospect of heresy which was combined with an active concern for the faith across the country, and how heresy could be identified and confronted. Baldwinâs Liber was the most ambitious manifestation of this discourse which drew inspiration from a second key consideration. This was a recognition that the monasteries, and specifically the Cistercian order, had a special role to play in the Churchâs struggle against heresy. The Cisterciansâ involvement with heresy in the twelfth century
archbishop canterbury fear heresy late twelfth_century england archbishop canterbury one_influential english also prolific writer whose writing significant synthesis spirituality monastic theology compose whilst still monk unique example anti heretical treatise produce england rise yet_receive far_less attention work first_time argue heresy important_issue england time twelfth_century england keen observer continental popular heresy perspective inspired debate theoretical prospect heresy combine active concern faith across_country heresy could_identify confront ambitious manifestation discourse draw inspiration second key consideration recognition specifically order special role_play church struggle heresy involvement heresy