Heriger of Lobbes
Encyclopedia
Heriger of Lobbes (c. 925 – October 31, 1007) was an abbot of the abbey of Lobbes between 990-1007 and is remembered for his writings as theologian and historian.
of Liège, he became a Benedictine
monk at the monastery of Lobbes, where he was scholasticus
of the monastic school for many years.
In 990, when Folcwin died, the monks wrote a letter to Notger, bishop of Liège, and to Rothard, bishop of Cambrai, to have Heriger as the new Abbot of Lobbes. The request was honored and Heriger was consecrated on the feast of St.Thomas in 990.
He was an intimate friend of bishop Notger of Liège, whom he accompanied to Rome in 989, and at whose instance he wrote several important historical works. By long study of the Fathers of the Church and the writers of classical antiquity he amassed learning unusual in those times. On the whole, he wrote with more historical criticism than most of his contemporaries, though as a hagiographer he at times sinks to the level of an ascetical novelist.
Among his pupils we can mention Burchard
, bishop of Worms, Adalbold
, bishop of Utrecht, Olbert, abbot of Gembloux, Wazo of Liège
and Hugo, later abbot of Lobbes.
; a better edition was issued by Martène and Durand. Finally, it was published with a valuable historical disquisition on the writings of Heriger by Köpke whence it was reprinted by Migne
. The history was continued to the year 1048 by Anselm of Liège
.
Heriger's other writings are:
Most of these works are printed by Migne.
The "Life of the Virgin St. Berlendis" has long be assigned to Heriger, but only dates from mid 11th century. It certainly belongs to the hagiographic tradition introduced by Heriger and seems to be the work of one of his pupils, abbot Hugo of Lobbes (+1053).
Heriger is also the author of an arithmetical work entitled "Regulæ de numerorum abaci rationibus".
He is recorded as being 'skilled in the art of music' and a composer, although none of his musical works survive. Written records mention two of his antiphon
s, O Thomas Dydime and O Thomas apostole and hymn
s.
Biography
After studying at the cathedral schoolCathedral school
Cathedral schools began in the Early Middle Ages as centers of advanced education, some of them ultimately evolving into medieval universities. Throughout the Middle Ages and beyond, they were complemented by the monastic schools...
of Liège, he became a Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
monk at the monastery of Lobbes, where he was scholasticus
Scholasticus
Scholasticus was an exarch of Ravenna .In 713 he was appointed as exarch, the same year Anastasius became Byzantine Emperor, and overthrew the Monothelite Emperor Philippicus. Scholasticus was charged with giving a letter to Pope Constantine, which described Anastasius' allegiance to orthodoxy,...
of the monastic school for many years.
In 990, when Folcwin died, the monks wrote a letter to Notger, bishop of Liège, and to Rothard, bishop of Cambrai, to have Heriger as the new Abbot of Lobbes. The request was honored and Heriger was consecrated on the feast of St.Thomas in 990.
He was an intimate friend of bishop Notger of Liège, whom he accompanied to Rome in 989, and at whose instance he wrote several important historical works. By long study of the Fathers of the Church and the writers of classical antiquity he amassed learning unusual in those times. On the whole, he wrote with more historical criticism than most of his contemporaries, though as a hagiographer he at times sinks to the level of an ascetical novelist.
Among his pupils we can mention Burchard
Burchard of Worms
Burchard of Worms was the Roman Catholic bishop of Worms in the Holy Roman Empire, and author of a Canon law collection in twenty books, the "Collectarium canonum" or "Decretum".-Life:...
, bishop of Worms, Adalbold
Adalbold II of Utrecht
Adalbold II of Utrecht was a bishop of Utrecht .He was born probably in the Low Countries, and received his education partly from Notker of Liège. He became a canon of Laubach, and apparently was a teacher there...
, bishop of Utrecht, Olbert, abbot of Gembloux, Wazo of Liège
Wazo of Liège
Wazo of Liège was bishop of Liège from 1041 to 1048, and a significant educator and theologian. His life was chronicled by his contemporary Anselm of Liège.During this period Liège became known as an educational center...
and Hugo, later abbot of Lobbes.
Works
His chief work is a history of the bishops of Liège, Gesta episcoporum Leodiensium, which however reaches only to the death of St. Remaclus in 667. It was first published by Jean ChapeauvilleJean Chapeauville
Jean Chapeauville was a Belgian theologian and historian.-Life:He made his philosophical studies at the University of Cologne and University of Louvain, and at the latter received the degree of Licentiate of Theology...
; a better edition was issued by Martène and Durand. Finally, it was published with a valuable historical disquisition on the writings of Heriger by Köpke whence it was reprinted by Migne
Migné
Migné is a commune in the Indre department in central France.-References:*...
. The history was continued to the year 1048 by Anselm of Liège
Anselm of Liège
Anselm of Liège was a chronicler of the eleventh century of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège.He was educated at the episcopal school of Liège, and became canon and dean of the cathedral, where he enjoyed the friendship of the bishop of Liège, Wazo...
.
Heriger's other writings are:
- the "Life of St. Landoald"
- a metrical "Life of St. Ursmar", of which only a few fragments remain
- a treatise on the Body and Blood of Christ, "De Corpore et Sanguine Dormini", which is little else than a compilation of excerpts from the Fathers, and must not be confounded with another work of the same title, generally ascribed to Gerbert of Aurillac
- a few other works on hagiological and liturgical subjects.
Most of these works are printed by Migne.
The "Life of the Virgin St. Berlendis" has long be assigned to Heriger, but only dates from mid 11th century. It certainly belongs to the hagiographic tradition introduced by Heriger and seems to be the work of one of his pupils, abbot Hugo of Lobbes (+1053).
Heriger is also the author of an arithmetical work entitled "Regulæ de numerorum abaci rationibus".
He is recorded as being 'skilled in the art of music' and a composer, although none of his musical works survive. Written records mention two of his antiphon
Antiphon
An antiphon in Christian music and ritual, is a "responsory" by a choir or congregation, usually in Gregorian chant, to a psalm or other text in a religious service or musical work....
s, O Thomas Dydime and O Thomas apostole and hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
s.