Osbern of Canterbury facts for kids

Osbern (born around 1050, died about 1095) was a Benedictine monk, a writer of saints' lives (called a hagiographer), and a musician. He worked as the precentor (the person in charge of music and chanting) at Christ Church in Canterbury. People sometimes called him "the monk Osbern."

Osbern's Life Story

Osbern was born in Canterbury and grew up under the care of Godric, who was a dean (a church leader) from 1058 to 1080. Osbern became a monk and later the precentor at Christ Church. He was ordained by Archbishop Lanfranc of Canterbury. He likely passed away between 1088 and 1093.

Osbern was good friends with Eadmer of Canterbury, who was also a monk and a historian at Canterbury. Eadmer was a few years younger than Osbern. Eadmer once shared a story about how he and Osbern searched for the bones of Saint Audoen in the church's crypts in the late 1080s. They were very happy when they found the bones. However, that same night, they had scary dreams or saw "dreadful apparitions." Eadmer learned a lot from Osbern's writing style and his memories of old Anglo-Saxon England. Eadmer later improved Osbern's book about the life of Saint Dunstan.

Osbern was very talented in music. It is said that he wrote two books about music: De re musica and De vocum consonantiis. But he is most famous for translating and writing the lives of saints. A historian named William of Malmesbury admired Osbern's elegant writing style. However, he also pointed out that Osbern often made historical mistakes.

Osbern's Writings

Osbern wrote several important works, mostly about the lives of saints.

Life of Saint Ælfheah

One of his works is called Vita S. Alphegi et de translatione S. Alphegi. This means "Life and Translation of Saint Ælfheah." He wrote it in prose (like a story, not a poem). Osbern wrote this book around 1080 because Archbishop Lanfranc asked him to. There was some disagreement at the time about whether Ælfheah was truly a saint.

Life of Saint Dunstan

Osbern also wrote Vita S. Dunstani (Life of Dunstan) and Liber Miraculorum Sancti Dunstani (Book of Miracles of Saint Dunstan). He wrote these works in 1070 or after Lanfranc's death. These books were based on an earlier life story of Saint Dunstan written by another author.

Life of Saint Odo

From the writings of William of Malmesbury, we know that Osbern wrote a life story of Odo, who was an archbishop of Canterbury. This work is called Vita S. Odonis archiepiscopi Cantuariensis. Unfortunately, this book has been lost over time.

Letters to Anselm

In addition to his books, two letters that Osbern wrote to Anselm, who was the abbot of Bec, have been saved. He probably wrote these letters around 1093.