This profile of Theodulf of Orleans is part of
Who's Who in Medieval History
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Theodulfus; also spelled Theodulphe, Theodulphus, Theodolph, Theodolphe, Theodolphus, Theodolf and Theodolfus
Being the foremost theologian at Charlemagne's court. He also wrote extraordinary poetry that shed light on the lives of the emperor, his son, and other significant historical figures of the time.
Cleric and Theologian
Writer and Poet
France
Europe
Iberia: Spain
Born:Â c. 760
Died:Â Dec. 18, 821
Theodulf was born in about 760 in northern Spain, where a Christian Visigothic kingdom remained, while Muslim forces had taken control of much of the Iberian Peninsula. It is there that he is believed to have acquired an extensive classical education and Christian theological instruction.
In the 780s, Theodulf became a member of the court of Charlemagne. There he wrote tracts on theology and was appointed abbot of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire and abbot of Saint-Aignan before ultimately becoming bishop of Orléans. He is believed to have written the Libri Carolini, the Carolingian response to the veneration of icons in Byzantium as addressed at the Second Council of Nicea of 787.
Theodulf also wrote poetry; while at court, some of his poems praised the emperor and his family and satirized less esteemed individuals. He contended with the English scholar Alcuin for the prestige of being the court's finest writer of poetry; today, most scholars agree that Theodulf was the better poet, with a sharp wit and a command of both classical and Christian styles.
In his diocese, Theodulf was successful in reforming the clergy. He established a hospice and encouraged schooling among his people. He also supported the arts, built and restored churches, and had a palace and chapel constructed at Germigny-des-Prés that survives to this day as a prime example of Carolingian architecture.
In 798, Charlemagne sent Theodulf to the south of France as a missus dominicus, a royal representative or messenger and, in this case, an itinerant judge. There he made an extensive tour, presiding as a justice in, among other places, Nimes, Béziers, Agde and Carcasonne. His poem Versus contra judices ("Against judges") describes his experiences on this tour, and includes observations on the severity of Frankish law and advice to other judges.
In 800, Theodulf was in Rome for Charlemagne's coronation as emperor. When Alcuin died in 804, he became Charlemagne’s foremost theological advisor. At the emperor's instigation, Theodulf became involved in the dispute over the Filioque clause in the Nicene Creed, which he defended in the treatise De Spiritu Sancto ("Concerning the Holy Spirit"). Charlemagne also encouraged him to write De ordine Baptismi ("Concerning the Ordinance of Baptism").
After Charlemagne's death in 814, Theodulf continued as an advisor to Louis the Pious until 818, when he was suspected of involvement in a revolt by Louis’s nephew, Bernard. Louis deprived Theodulf of his bishopric and had him exiled to a monastery in Angers. He spent the rest of his life protesting his innocence, and died in 821.
Theodulf's hymn Gloria, laus, et honor ("Glory, Praise, and Honor") became part of the Christian liturgy and is still sometimes sung on Palm Sunday.
Theodulf of Orleans in Print
The link below will take you to an online bookstore, where you can get more information about the book in order to find it in your local library; or you may purchase the book from the merchant. Neither About.com nor Melissa Snell is responsible for any purchase you make through this link.
Theodulf of Orleans on the Web
The Carolingian Empire
Early Europe
Medieval Iberia
Medieval Christianity
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Theodulf of Orleans was also known as:
Theodulfus; also spelled Theodulphe, Theodulphus, Theodolph, Theodolphe, Theodolphus, Theodolf and Theodolfus
Theodulf of Orleans was known for:
Being the foremost theologian at Charlemagne's court. He also wrote extraordinary poetry that shed light on the lives of the emperor, his son, and other significant historical figures of the time.
Occupations:
Cleric and Theologian
Writer and Poet
Places of Residence and Influence:
France
Europe
Iberia: Spain
Important Dates:
Born:Â c. 760
Died:Â Dec. 18, 821
About Theodulf of Orleans:
Theodulf was born in about 760 in northern Spain, where a Christian Visigothic kingdom remained, while Muslim forces had taken control of much of the Iberian Peninsula. It is there that he is believed to have acquired an extensive classical education and Christian theological instruction.
In the 780s, Theodulf became a member of the court of Charlemagne. There he wrote tracts on theology and was appointed abbot of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire and abbot of Saint-Aignan before ultimately becoming bishop of Orléans. He is believed to have written the Libri Carolini, the Carolingian response to the veneration of icons in Byzantium as addressed at the Second Council of Nicea of 787.
Theodulf also wrote poetry; while at court, some of his poems praised the emperor and his family and satirized less esteemed individuals. He contended with the English scholar Alcuin for the prestige of being the court's finest writer of poetry; today, most scholars agree that Theodulf was the better poet, with a sharp wit and a command of both classical and Christian styles.
In his diocese, Theodulf was successful in reforming the clergy. He established a hospice and encouraged schooling among his people. He also supported the arts, built and restored churches, and had a palace and chapel constructed at Germigny-des-Prés that survives to this day as a prime example of Carolingian architecture.
In 798, Charlemagne sent Theodulf to the south of France as a missus dominicus, a royal representative or messenger and, in this case, an itinerant judge. There he made an extensive tour, presiding as a justice in, among other places, Nimes, Béziers, Agde and Carcasonne. His poem Versus contra judices ("Against judges") describes his experiences on this tour, and includes observations on the severity of Frankish law and advice to other judges.
In 800, Theodulf was in Rome for Charlemagne's coronation as emperor. When Alcuin died in 804, he became Charlemagne’s foremost theological advisor. At the emperor's instigation, Theodulf became involved in the dispute over the Filioque clause in the Nicene Creed, which he defended in the treatise De Spiritu Sancto ("Concerning the Holy Spirit"). Charlemagne also encouraged him to write De ordine Baptismi ("Concerning the Ordinance of Baptism").
After Charlemagne's death in 814, Theodulf continued as an advisor to Louis the Pious until 818, when he was suspected of involvement in a revolt by Louis’s nephew, Bernard. Louis deprived Theodulf of his bishopric and had him exiled to a monastery in Angers. He spent the rest of his life protesting his innocence, and died in 821.
Theodulf's hymn Gloria, laus, et honor ("Glory, Praise, and Honor") became part of the Christian liturgy and is still sometimes sung on Palm Sunday.
More Theodulf of Orleans Resources:
Theodulf of Orleans in Print
The link below will take you to an online bookstore, where you can get more information about the book in order to find it in your local library; or you may purchase the book from the merchant. Neither About.com nor Melissa Snell is responsible for any purchase you make through this link.
Theodulf of Orleans: Charlemagne's Spokesman Against the Second Council of Nicaea
(Variorum Collected Studies Series, 772)
by Ann Freeman; edited by Paul MeyvaertÂ
Theodulf of Orleans on the Web
Theodulf
Article by Klemens Löffler at the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Four Poems by Theodulf of Orleans
Four Latin poems translated into rhyming English verse by Jeff Sypeck, online at The Heroic Age journal.
The Carolingian Empire
Early Europe
Medieval Iberia
Medieval Christianity
Who's Who Directories:
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Chronological Index
Geographical Index
Index by Profession, Achievement, or Role in Society
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