Gerard Zerbolt of Zutphen
Encyclopedia
Gerard Zerbolt of Zutphen (1367, Zutphen - December 3, 1398, Windesheim
) was a Dutch
mystical writer and one of the first of the Brothers of the Common Life. His name has many variations, including "Gerardus de Zutphania", "Gerardus Zutphaniensis", "Zerbold van Zutphen", "Gerhard Zerbolt von Zutfen", "Gerardus Zerboltus", etc.
. He got his first education in his hometown, and after attending one or more Latin schools elsewhere, he enrolled between 1383 and 1385 at the Brothers of the Common Life's St. Lebwin school in nearby Deventer
. This school had been founded by Gerhard Groote (1340–1384) and in Zerbolt's time was led by Florentius Radewyns (1350–1400).
Even in the Brothers of the Common Life's community of "plain living and high thinking" Gerard was remarkable for his absorption in the sacred sciences and his utter oblivion of all matters of merely earthly interest. He held the office of librarian
, and his deep learning in moral theology
and canon law
did the brothers good service, in helping them to meet the prejudice and opposition which their manner of life at first aroused. In Radewijns' absence, Zerbolt assumed his responsibilities as rector.
In June 1398, the plague drove most of the Brethren, including Zerbolt, from Deventer. They found refuge in Amersfoort
until November. Here the legality of the Brotherhood was attacked regularly by the local clergy. Soon after his return to Deventer, Zerbolt traveled to the Benedictine monastery at Dikninge
in Drente to confer with its learned abbot Arnold about the attacks. On his way home on December 3, Zerbolt and his companion stopped for the night at Windesheim, a small village just south of Zwolle
. He felt mortally ill and died within a few hours, at the age of 31. Because of his heralded status, the Wildesheim canons
buried him quickly in an honored spot in their own chapel, before the Brethren from Deventer could collect the body.
Zwolle
Zwolle is a municipality and the capital city of the province of Overijssel, Netherlands, 120 kilometers northeast of Amsterdam. Zwolle has about 120,000 citizens.-History:...
) was a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
mystical writer and one of the first of the Brothers of the Common Life. His name has many variations, including "Gerardus de Zutphania", "Gerardus Zutphaniensis", "Zerbold van Zutphen", "Gerhard Zerbolt von Zutfen", "Gerardus Zerboltus", etc.
Biography
Zerbolt was born in 1367 into a wealthy burgher family in Zutphen, then in the Duchy of GueldersGuelders
Guelders or Gueldres is the name of a historical county, later duchy of the Holy Roman Empire, located in the Low Countries.-Geography:...
. He got his first education in his hometown, and after attending one or more Latin schools elsewhere, he enrolled between 1383 and 1385 at the Brothers of the Common Life's St. Lebwin school in nearby Deventer
Deventer
Deventer is a municipality and city in the Salland region of the Dutch province of Overijssel. Deventer is largely situated on the east bank of the river IJssel, but also has a small part of its territory on the west bank. In 2005 the municipality of Bathmen Deventer is a municipality and city in...
. This school had been founded by Gerhard Groote (1340–1384) and in Zerbolt's time was led by Florentius Radewyns (1350–1400).
Even in the Brothers of the Common Life's community of "plain living and high thinking" Gerard was remarkable for his absorption in the sacred sciences and his utter oblivion of all matters of merely earthly interest. He held the office of librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
, and his deep learning in moral theology
Moral theology
Moral theology is a systematic theological treatment of Christian ethics. It is usually taught on Divinity faculties as a part of the basic curriculum.- External links :*...
and canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
did the brothers good service, in helping them to meet the prejudice and opposition which their manner of life at first aroused. In Radewijns' absence, Zerbolt assumed his responsibilities as rector.
In June 1398, the plague drove most of the Brethren, including Zerbolt, from Deventer. They found refuge in Amersfoort
Amersfoort
Amersfoort is a municipality and the second largest city of the province of Utrecht in central Netherlands. The city is growing quickly but has a well-preserved and protected medieval centre. Amersfoort is one of the largest railway junctions in the country, because of its location on two of the...
until November. Here the legality of the Brotherhood was attacked regularly by the local clergy. Soon after his return to Deventer, Zerbolt traveled to the Benedictine monastery at Dikninge
De Wolden
- Population centres :Alteveer, Anholt, Ansen, Armweide, Bazuin, Benderse, Berghuizen, Blijdenstein, Bloemberg, Braamberg, Buitenhuizen, Bultinge, De Oude Tol, De Stapel, De Stuw, De Tippe, De Wijk, Dijkhuizen, Dickninge, Drogt, Drogteropslagen, Dunnigen, Echten, Eemten, Engeland, Eursinge, Fort,...
in Drente to confer with its learned abbot Arnold about the attacks. On his way home on December 3, Zerbolt and his companion stopped for the night at Windesheim, a small village just south of Zwolle
Zwolle
Zwolle is a municipality and the capital city of the province of Overijssel, Netherlands, 120 kilometers northeast of Amsterdam. Zwolle has about 120,000 citizens.-History:...
. He felt mortally ill and died within a few hours, at the age of 31. Because of his heralded status, the Wildesheim canons
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
buried him quickly in an honored spot in their own chapel, before the Brethren from Deventer could collect the body.