Bartholomew of Trent
Encyclopedia
Bartholomew of Trent was a Dominican
hagiographer and papal diplomat. His Epilogum in gesta sanctorum (Afterword on the Deeds of the Saints) which set a new style in hagiography
designed for practical use by preachers, specifically to inspire a lay audience with marvels and moral admonitions, was one of two main sources for Jacobus de Varagine's compendium, Legenda Aurea.
A native of Trent
, he entered the Dominican order
in Bologna
. Bartholomew travelled widely in Italy
France
and Germany
; politically astute, was often in attendance at both the Papal and Imperial courts. He served as an Pope Innocent IV
's envoy in negotiations with Frederick II
. He knew Anthony of Padua
and was present at the translation of St. Dominic's body in 1233, for the details of which he is a prime witness.
The Epilogum in gesta sanctorum was completed in the Monastery of San Lorenzo, at Trent
in 1245. The modern edition is that of Emore Paoli (Sismel, Edizioni del Galluzzo, 2001), superseding that of D. Gobbi (1990), transcribing a manuscript from Klosterneuburg
.
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
hagiographer and papal diplomat. His Epilogum in gesta sanctorum (Afterword on the Deeds of the Saints) which set a new style in hagiography
Hagiography
Hagiography is the study of saints.From the Greek and , it refers literally to writings on the subject of such holy people, and specifically to the biographies of saints and ecclesiastical leaders. The term hagiology, the study of hagiography, is also current in English, though less common...
designed for practical use by preachers, specifically to inspire a lay audience with marvels and moral admonitions, was one of two main sources for Jacobus de Varagine's compendium, Legenda Aurea.
A native of Trent
Trento
Trento is an Italian city located in the Adige River valley in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. It is the capital of Trentino...
, he entered the Dominican order
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
in Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
. Bartholomew travelled widely in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
; politically astute, was often in attendance at both the Papal and Imperial courts. He served as an Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV
Pope Innocent IV , born Sinibaldo Fieschi, was pope from June 25, 1243 until his death in 1254.-Early life:...
's envoy in negotiations with Frederick II
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick II , was one of the most powerful Holy Roman Emperors of the Middle Ages and head of the House of Hohenstaufen. His political and cultural ambitions, based in Sicily and stretching through Italy to Germany, and even to Jerusalem, were enormous...
. He knew Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua
Anthony of Padua or Anthony of Lisbon, O.F.M., was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Though he died in Padua, Italy, he was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, which is where he was raised...
and was present at the translation of St. Dominic's body in 1233, for the details of which he is a prime witness.
The Epilogum in gesta sanctorum was completed in the Monastery of San Lorenzo, at Trent
Trento
Trento is an Italian city located in the Adige River valley in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. It is the capital of Trentino...
in 1245. The modern edition is that of Emore Paoli (Sismel, Edizioni del Galluzzo, 2001), superseding that of D. Gobbi (1990), transcribing a manuscript from Klosterneuburg
Klosterneuburg
Klosterneuburg is an attractive small town in Lower Austria, Austria with a population of 24,442.It is located on the Danube, immediately north of Vienna, from which it is separated by the Kahlenberg and Leopoldsberg hills...
.