Gilbert of Hoyland
Encyclopedia
Gilbert of Hoyland was a twelfth-century abbot
of the Cistercian monastery
of Swineshead, Lincolnshire
. Swineshead had been a member of the monastic order of Savigny
, which joined the Cistercian Order in 1147. Gilbert apparently went to Swineshead to help the community adopt Cistercian usages.
Sometime after Bernard of Clairvaux
died in 1153, Gilbert was asked to continue Bernard's incomplete series of 86 sermon
s on the biblical Song of Songs
. Gilbert wrote 47 sermons before he died in 1172, probably at the French Cistercian monastery
of Larrivour. Fifteen other short works by Gilbert survive.
Gilbert's 47 sermons ended in Chapter 5 of the Song of Songs; another English Cistercian abbot, John of Ford
, wrote another 120 sermons on the Song of Songs, so completing the Cistercian sermon-commentary on the book.
Gilbert's works have been translated into English by Lawrence Braceland, S.J. and published in four volumes by Cistercian Publications. They have also been translated into French by Fr. Pierre-Yves Emery. Marsha L. Dutton is completing the critical edition of Gilbert's works, to be published by Brepols Publishers in the Corpus Christianorum, Continuatio Mediaevalis series.
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of the Cistercian monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of Swineshead, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
. Swineshead had been a member of the monastic order of Savigny
Congregation of Savigny
The monastic Congregation of Savigny started in the abbey of Savigny, situated in northern France, on the confines of Normandy and Brittany, in the Diocese of Coutances. It originated in 1105 when Vitalis of Mortain established a hermitage in the forest at Savigny in France.-Founding:Vitalis was a...
, which joined the Cistercian Order in 1147. Gilbert apparently went to Swineshead to help the community adopt Cistercian usages.
Sometime after Bernard of Clairvaux
Bernard of Clairvaux
Bernard of Clairvaux, O.Cist was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian order.After the death of his mother, Bernard sought admission into the Cistercian order. Three years later, he was sent to found a new abbey at an isolated clearing in a glen known as the Val...
died in 1153, Gilbert was asked to continue Bernard's incomplete series of 86 sermon
Sermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
s on the biblical Song of Songs
Song of songs
Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon, is a book of the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. It may also refer to:In music:* Song of songs , the debut album by David and the Giants* A generic term for medleysPlays...
. Gilbert wrote 47 sermons before he died in 1172, probably at the French Cistercian monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of Larrivour. Fifteen other short works by Gilbert survive.
Gilbert's 47 sermons ended in Chapter 5 of the Song of Songs; another English Cistercian abbot, John of Ford
John of Ford
John of Ford was the prior of the Cistercian monastery of Forde, then from 1186 abbot of its daughter house of Bindon, and between 1191 and 1214 the abbot of Forde. He was a friend and ally of King John during the papal interdict, receiving remuneration from the king...
, wrote another 120 sermons on the Song of Songs, so completing the Cistercian sermon-commentary on the book.
Gilbert's works have been translated into English by Lawrence Braceland, S.J. and published in four volumes by Cistercian Publications. They have also been translated into French by Fr. Pierre-Yves Emery. Marsha L. Dutton is completing the critical edition of Gilbert's works, to be published by Brepols Publishers in the Corpus Christianorum, Continuatio Mediaevalis series.