Robert of Cricklade facts for kids

Robert of Cricklade was an English writer and a church leader in the Middle Ages. He was born around 1100 and died sometime between 1174 and 1179. Robert was the prior (a type of leader) of St Frideswide's Priory in Oxford. He wrote many books, including religious works and a biography of Thomas Becket, a famous archbishop.

Robert's Life Story

Robert came from a town called Cricklade in England. He was known as "master" because he was very smart and taught in schools. Later, he became an Augustinian canon, which is a type of priest who follows special rules.

He then became the prior of St Frideswide's Priory in Oxford. He held this important job from before 1139 until after 1174. Robert traveled a lot! In 1158, he went to Rome, Italy, and also visited Sicily and Paris. He also traveled to Scotland in the 1160s.

Robert's Writings

Robert of Cricklade wrote many books. Some of his works are still around today in old manuscripts (handwritten books). Others have been lost over time.

On the Marriage of Jacob

Robert wrote this book while he was at Cirencester Abbey. It's a special kind of story that uses the Bible's story of Jacob to teach a deeper, hidden meaning. He finished it before he moved to Oxford in 1138 or 1139. Robert mentioned that other famous writers like Bernard of Clairvaux helped inspire his work.

You can find copies of this book in these places:

• Antwerp, Museum Plantin-Moretus, MS M. 103
• Hereford Cathedral, MS P.iv.8
• London, British Library, Royal MS 8 E. ii
• Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Laud Misc. 725
• Oxford, Balliol College, MS 167

Anthology of Pliny's Natural History

This book is a shorter version of a very old and famous work called Natural History by Pliny the Elder. Robert dedicated his book to King Henry II of England. This book was important because it helped share Pliny's ideas with people in the Middle Ages.

Robert probably wrote this book in the 1130s, maybe for his students. Later, he gave it to King Henry.

Copies of this book are found in:

• Eton College, MS 134
• Hereford Cathedral, MS P.v.10
• London, British Library, Royal MS 15 C. xiv
• Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana MS Vat. Regin. lat. 598 + 198
• Wolfenbüttel, Herzog August Bibliothek, Cod. Guelf. 160.1 Extrav.

Mirror of Faith

The Mirror of Faith is a religious book. It brings together many texts from the Old and New Testament parts of the Bible. It talks about important ideas in Christianity. Robert wrote it between 1164 and 1168. This book is known because Robert disagreed with some of the ideas of another theologian named Peter Lombard.

Only one copy of this book still exists:

• Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 380

Homilies on Ezekiel

These are a series of 42 homilies, which are like sermons or religious talks. They are based on the Book of Ezekiel from the Bible. Robert wrote them around 1172, continuing the work of Gregory the Great on the same topic.

You can find copies of this work in:

• Cambridge, Pembroke College, MS 30
• Hereford Cathedral, O.iii.10

Life and Miracles of St Thomas of Canterbury

Robert wrote this book about Thomas Becket, a very important archbishop who was murdered. He wrote it around 1173 to 1174. Sadly, Robert's original book is lost. However, it was used as a main source for an old Icelandic story about Becket called Thómas saga erkibyskups. This Icelandic story tells us many things about Becket's life that we wouldn't know otherwise.

Some historians think Robert's book might have been lost because it showed the king's side of the story, rather than Becket's.

Life of St Frideswide

Robert also wrote a book about Frithuswith, who was the patron saint of his priory in Oxford. This book is a new version of an older story about the saint.

Copies of this book are found in:

• Oxford, Bodleian Library, Laud Misc. 114
• Cambridge, Gonville and Caius College, 129
• Gotha, Forschungsbibliothek, MM. I.81

Robert's Death and What He Left Behind

Robert of Cricklade died sometime after 1174. He was probably buried at his priory in Oxford. Another leader named Philip of Oxford took over his role by 1179.

Besides his religious writings, Robert was also interested in old texts. A writer named Gerald of Wales said that Robert searched all over England for Hebrew copies of books by Josephus, a famous ancient historian. Gerald also claimed that Robert knew the Hebrew language!