Hildebert facts for kids
Hildebert of Lavardin was an important French church leader, writer, and thinker. He lived a long time ago, from about 1055 to 1133. He started as a bishop in Le Mans, France, and later became an archbishop in Tours.
Life of Hildebert
Hildebert was born in a small town called Lavardin in France. His parents were not wealthy, and he was expected to join the church. He likely studied under a famous teacher named Berengar of Tours.
Hildebert became a master teacher at a school in Le Mans. In 1091, he became an archdeacon, which is a senior church official. A few years later, in 1096 or 1097, he was made the bishop of Le Mans.
Being a bishop was not always easy. Hildebert faced problems from some of his own clergy (church officials). He also had trouble with the English king, William II. King William II captured Le Mans and took Bishop Hildebert to England for about a year.
After this, Hildebert traveled to Rome and asked Pope Paschal II if he could stop being a bishop. But the Pope said no. Later, in 1116, his area faced more challenges. A preacher named Henry of Lausanne was speaking out against church leaders, including Hildebert. Hildebert made him leave the area, but his words had already caused some confusion.
In 1125, Hildebert was asked to become the archbishop of Tours. He didn't really want this new role. As archbishop, he had disagreements with the French king Louis VI about who had the right to choose church leaders. He also had a conflict with the bishop of Dol about the power of his church in Brittany.
Hildebert led an important meeting called the Synod of Nantes. He passed away in Tours, probably on December 18, 1133. He helped build part of the large cathedral in Le Mans. People at the time thought very highly of him.
Hildebert's Writings
Hildebert wrote many different things. His works that we still have today include letters, poems, a few sermons, and two biographies. He also wrote one or two other essays.
For a long time, people thought Hildebert wrote many more things than he actually did. Later, experts found that some writings believed to be his were actually written by others. This changed how people saw his role in the history of ideas.
His genuine writings include many letters. These letters were very popular in the 1100s and 1200s. They were often used as examples in schools in France and Italy.
Hildebert also wrote many popular poems on different topics. He was known as a good speaker in both French and Latin. However, only a few of his real sermons still exist. Many of the sermons that were once thought to be his were actually written by other people.
The biographies Hildebert wrote were about Hugh of Cluny and St Radegunda. He also wrote a piece called liber de Querimonia et Conflictu carnis et Spiritus seu animae, which is definitely his work.
Hildebert was very good at Latin. He knew the works of famous Roman writers like Cicero and Ovid. He also sent letters and poems to Adela of Normandy, giving her advice and praising her leadership.
