Robert of Melun facts for kids

Robert of Melun (c. 1100 – 27 February 1167) was an English teacher and church leader. He was known as a scholastic theologian, which means he was a scholar who studied and taught about Christian beliefs. Robert taught in France for many years. Later, he became the Bishop of Hereford in England.

He studied under a famous teacher named Peter Abelard in Paris. Robert then taught in Paris and at a place called Melun, which is how he got his name. Some of his students became very important people. These included John of Salisbury, Roger of Worcester, and William of Tyre. It is also possible that Thomas Becket was one of his students.

Robert was part of an important meeting called the Council of Reims in 1148. This meeting decided that some teachings by another scholar, Gilbert de la Porrée, were wrong. Robert wrote three books about theology. These books show that he followed the main Christian beliefs very closely.

In 1160, Robert returned to England. King Henry II of England chose him to be the Bishop of Hereford in 1163. Both Pope Alexander III and Thomas Becket helped the king make this choice. After becoming a bishop, Robert got involved in a big disagreement. This was between Thomas Becket and the king. Robert usually supported the king during this time. He also worked as a judge for both the Pope and the King.

Who Was Robert of Melun?

Robert was born in England around the year 1100. We don't know much about his family or early life. He got his name "of Melun" because he taught at a school in Melun, France.

He studied in Paris with famous teachers like Peter Abelard and Hugh of St. Victor. In 1137, Robert took over Abelard's teaching spot in Paris. Many important people learned from him there. These included John of Salisbury and William of Tyre. Roger of Worcester, who was the king's cousin, also studied with Robert. It's thought that Thomas Becket, who later became a very important archbishop, might have been his student too.

In 1142, Robert went to Melun to lead a school. But he came back to Paris in 1147. He played a role in the Council of Rheims in 1148. At this meeting, he worked with Peter Lombard to make Gilbert de la Porrée change his ideas. A small court was held after the council. It included important figures like Bernard of Clairvaux and Suger. This court made Porrée take back his views on the Trinity, which is a key Christian belief about God. One of Robert's fellow scholars, Herbert of Bosham, said Robert was a great teacher. He said Robert "sent forth... a great and learned host of students."

Becoming Bishop of Hereford

Robert taught in Paris for over 40 years. Then, King Henry II called him back to England in 1160. In 1163, Robert was chosen to be the Bishop of Hereford. He was officially made a bishop at Canterbury on December 22. Thomas Becket, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury, performed the ceremony.

Becket had strongly suggested Robert for the bishop position. One of Becket's writers said that Becket wanted the king to give important church jobs to Englishmen living abroad. There is also some proof that Pope Alexander III helped Robert get the job. Becket later reminded Robert that he owed his bishop role to the Pope.

We don't have many records of what Robert did as a bishop. But we know he acted as a papal judge-delegate in 1165. This means he was a judge for the Pope. Five documents from his time as bishop still exist. He also confirmed gifts that earlier bishops had given to Llanthony Priory. He even added his own gifts to the priory. Robert also served as a judge for the king.

Robert's Role in the Becket Dispute

In 1163, a big argument started between King Henry II and Archbishop Thomas Becket. They disagreed about how much power the king should have over the church in England. At a meeting in Westminster in October 1163, the king and Becket argued. The bishops at the meeting supported Becket against the king.

Robert was involved in this fight. He was sent by the Pope to talk to Becket. He went with a French abbot named Philip of Aumone. They wanted to ask Becket not to make the situation worse. Robert went along because people hoped he could influence Becket.

In January 1164, Robert was present when the king called a meeting at Clarendon. The king demanded that everyone, including the bishops, promise to follow the old royal rules of King Henry I. Becket first refused, but then he agreed. He then made the other bishops promise too.

In October 1164, Becket was accused of not giving fair justice to one of the king's men. He was put on trial at a meeting in Northampton. Becket was found guilty, but he did not accept the decision. During the trial, Robert tried to help Becket. He tried to convince Becket not to carry his special archbishop's cross into court. This would have been seen as an insult to the king. Soon after the trial, Robert asked the king to make sure Becket was not harmed. Becket then chose to leave England for a while.

Early in Becket's time away, Robert was criticized by the Pope. The Pope felt Robert had not done enough to support Becket. In the summer of 1165, Robert went with Gilbert Foliot, the Bishop of London, to see King Henry. They were on a mission from the Pope. They told the king that Pope Alexander was unhappy with his actions. The king had been stopping people from visiting the Pope. He also treated Becket badly.

In 1166, Becket tried to get Robert to switch sides. He wrote to Robert in a friendly way. John of Salisbury, who supported Becket, also asked two French scholars to write to Robert. They criticized Robert for not being loyal to Becket.

In October 1166, Becket told Robert and Roger of Worcester to come to him in France. He wanted their advice on his argument with the king. When they told the king they planned to leave, he told them they could not. But they still tried to sneak out of England in February 1167. They were caught on February 2. They were told to stay in England, not only by the king, but also by the Pope.

Robert's Ideas and Writings

Robert's ideas about Christian beliefs are found in his three books that still exist. These are called Quaestiones de divina pagina, Quaestiones de epistolis Pauli, and the unfinished Sententiae. We don't know the exact dates when he wrote them. But the first two were likely written between 1145 and 1157. The Sententiae was updated two times, probably in the 1150s and 1160s. His books, especially the Sententiae, cover all the main topics of Christian belief. They show he followed the traditional teachings very closely.

Robert's Sententiae was very well known in his time. It is seen as an important link between the ideas of his teachers and the works of Peter Lombard. Robert was one of the first to say that the Bible might support resisting a bad ruler. He also thought that a king could be excommunicated if his actions harmed the church. This means the king would be cut off from the church.

Robert used the writings of Gratian, which were about church law. But Robert was mostly known as a theologian, not a lawyer. He studied before church law became a separate subject in schools. Robert thought that some scholars, called glossators, made their notes too short. He felt this made them hard to understand. Robert was also known for his logic. John of Salisbury called him one of the best disputatores. These were people who used logic and debate skills in public discussions.

Even though Robert helped condemn Gilbert Porrée with Peter Lombard, he didn't agree with Lombard's ideas about Christology. This is the study of the nature of Jesus Christ. Also, while he disagreed with some of Abelard's teachings, he defended Abelard against charges of heresy. Heresy means holding beliefs that go against official church teachings. Robert did agree with some of Abelard's methods and ideas. The introduction to his Sententiae says he wanted to combine the writings of two unnamed scholars. These scholars are now believed to be Hugh of St. Victor and Abelard.

Death and What He Left Behind

Robert died on February 27, 1167. William fitzStephen, who supported Becket, wrote that Robert died from sadness. He was sad because he could not visit Becket, who was in exile. Robert was buried in Hereford Cathedral.

Robert had a good reputation in Europe. People respected his knowledge and teaching skills, as well as his character. Before he became a bishop, John of Salisbury had praised him. But Robert's actions during the argument with Becket changed John's opinion of his old teacher.

Robert's writings have been published in four books. His official documents as bishop are in a book called Hereford 1079–1234: English Episcopal Acta Number 7, published in 1993.