Ralph Niger facts for kids

Ralph Niger, whose Latin name was Radulphus Niger or Radulfus Niger, was also known as Ralph the Black. He was an important Anglo-French scholar and historian who lived from about 1140 to 1217. He came from Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk, England, and later became a church leader in Gloucester.

Ralph Niger's Early Life and Studies

Ralph Niger was born around 1140 in Bury St. Edmunds. From about 1160 to 1166, he studied in Paris, France. There, he learned from famous teachers like John of Salisbury and Gerard la Pucelle. He might have also studied in Poitiers at some point. While in Paris, he may have taught subjects like rhetoric (the art of speaking or writing effectively) and dialectics (the art of logical discussion).

Life in Politics and Return to England

Ralph Niger was close to Thomas Becket, a powerful church leader, during Becket's time in exile in France in the 1160s. He helped Becket connect with important allies, like Conrad of Mainz, who supported Pope Alexander III. After Becket and King Henry II settled their differences, Ralph Niger worked for the king.

However, after Becket was murdered in 1170, Ralph Niger left England and went back to France. He returned to England in 1189 after King Henry II died. When he came back, he became a canon (a type of priest) in Lincoln.

Ralph Niger's Writings and Music

Ralph Niger wrote several important works. Besides books about religion (theology), he wrote two history books, called chronicles, in Latin.

• One chronicle covered the history of German emperors and the kings of France and England up to the year 1206.
• The other chronicle told the story of the world from its very beginning up to 1199.

In his history books, Ralph Niger strongly supported Thomas Becket. He also openly criticized King Henry II, saying that "the king let no year pass without bothering the country with new laws." Another historian, Ralph of Coggeshall, later continued Ralph Niger's English chronicle. Ralph Niger also wrote a book called De re militari (About Military Matters). In this book, he shared his critical thoughts about the Third Crusade, a major military journey.

Ralph Niger is also an important person for understanding medieval music in Britain. He composed four special church services, called offices. These were for important religious days: Nativity (Christmas), Annunciation, Assumption, and Purification. Both the music and the words for these services are kept safe in the library of Lincoln Cathedral. He wrote a short Latin explanation about these special days before his musical works. Most of his other writings were not about religion.

Editions

• Chronicon. Edited by Robert Anstruther. Caxton Society, 1851. You can read the full text online.
• De re militari et triplici via peregrinationis Ierosolmitane. Edited by Ludwig Schmugge. De Gruyter, 1977.