Actus pontificum cenomannis
Encyclopedia
The Actus pontificum Cenomannis is a series of short biographies of bishops of the city of Le Mans
, starting with the first bishop Julian
, one of the Seventy Disciples
. The core text was written in the middle ninth century, probably by a cleric or clerics of the cathedral of Le Mans, though it had several subsequent continuations into the central Middle Ages. Much of the information this core contains, including several charters and diplomas, is partly or wholly fictitious.
The Actus were probably part of an ambitious campaign to extend the bishop's rights over neighbouring monasteries, particularly the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Calais
, though the attempt collapsed at the royal council of Verberie
in 863. The text is important as evidence for late Carolingian episcopal ideology.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Le Mans
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Le Mans , is a Roman Catholic Latin Rite diocese of France. The diocese is a suffragan of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rennes.-Area:It comprises the entire department of Sarthe...
, starting with the first bishop Julian
Julian of Le Mans
Saint Julian of Le Mans is a saint venerated in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church, honored as the first bishop of Le Mans. His feast day is January 27...
, one of the Seventy Disciples
Seventy Disciples
The seventy disciples or seventy-two disciples were early followers of Jesus mentioned in the Gospel of Luke . According to Luke, the only gospel in which they appear, Jesus appointed them and sent them out in pairs on a specific mission which is detailed in the text...
. The core text was written in the middle ninth century, probably by a cleric or clerics of the cathedral of Le Mans, though it had several subsequent continuations into the central Middle Ages. Much of the information this core contains, including several charters and diplomas, is partly or wholly fictitious.
The Actus were probably part of an ambitious campaign to extend the bishop's rights over neighbouring monasteries, particularly the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Calais
Saint-Calais
Saint-Calais is a commune in the Sarthe department in the region of Pays-de-la-Loire in north-western France.Prior to the French Revolution it was known for its Benedictine abbey named after the Anisola stream . Saint-Calais is a later name coming from one of the local saints of the Perche area....
, though the attempt collapsed at the royal council of Verberie
Verberie
Verberie is a village in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise.It lies southwest of Compiègne on the main road to Senlis and Paris. The railway station is on the line from Compiegne to Crépy-en-Valois. It has an average income of €20,442...
in 863. The text is important as evidence for late Carolingian episcopal ideology.