Hugh Candidus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hugh Candidus
Born	c. 1095
Died	c. 1160 (aged 64–65)
Other names	Hugh Albus Hugo Albus Hugh Whyte
Occupation	monk
Known for	History of Peterborough Abbey

Hugh Candidus (born around 1095, died around 1160) was a monk who lived at Peterborough Abbey in England. He wrote a detailed history of this important Benedictine monastery. His book, written in Medieval Latin, tells the story of the abbey from its beginnings as Medeshamstede in the mid-600s all the way up to the mid-1100s.

Life of Hugh Candidus

Hugh Candidus became a monk at Peterborough Abbey when he was a very young boy. His older brother, named "Reginald Spirit," was already a sacrist there. A sacrist was a monk in charge of the church's sacred items and buildings.

Hugh was often sick as a child, and even though he lived to be quite old, he was never very strong. People called him "Hugo Albus," which means "Hugh White," because his face was pale and handsome. Later writers used the name "Hugo Candidus," which has a similar meaning.

His most important teachers were Abbot Ernulf and his own brother, Reginald. Hugh wrote about both of them with great fondness later in his life. He continued to be a monk under several other abbots at Peterborough, including John, Henry, Martin, and William.

Hugh was well-liked by both younger and older monks, and also by people in nearby monasteries and the surrounding area. He was involved in almost every kind of work for the monastery, both inside its walls and outside. When Abbot Martin was in charge (from 1133 to 1155), Hugh was chosen to be the sub-prior, which is a senior role in the monastery.

Hugh was present when a big fire damaged the church in 1116. Later, when the church was blessed again in 1139, he took part in a special ceremony. He kissed and washed the right arm of Saint Oswald, which was a very precious relic (a holy item) kept at Peterborough. Hugh said that the skin and flesh of the arm were still whole, just as Saint Aidan had predicted long ago.

On the day Abbot Martin died in 1155, Hugh was part of a group of twelve senior monks chosen to elect a new abbot. They chose William of Waterville, who was also a monk from their own abbey. The next day, Hugh and the prior, Reginald, were sent to tell King Henry II about the election. The king confirmed their choice.

Hugh Candidus's Written Work

Hugh Candidus wrote a history of Peterborough Abbey in Medieval Latin. In this book, he described how the abbey was first started in the 600s under the name "Medeshamstede." He also wrote about how it was rebuilt in the 900s and renamed "Burh," or "Borough."

His history explains how the abbey became very wealthy before the Norman Conquest in 1066. Because of its riches, it was sometimes called "the golden borough." Hugh's book ends with the election of Abbot William of Waterville. Historians believe Hugh probably died soon after this event.

Hugh's writings mostly focus on the monastery itself, its buildings, its wealth, and the saints who protected it. Later, other people added more information to his history, including details about Hugh's death.

Some people have wondered if Hugh Candidus also wrote parts of the Peterborough Chronicle. This was a local version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which also ends around the time Abbot William of Waterville was elected. However, many experts believe that Hugh probably used the Peterborough Chronicle as a source for his own work, rather than writing parts of it himself.

Hugh's history of Peterborough Abbey was first published in a book in 1723. Since then, different versions and translations of his work have been published, making it easier for people to read and learn about the abbey's past.