Adrian IV The English Pope (1154–1159): Studies and Texts (Church, Faith and Culture in the Medieval West)

The year 2000 witnessed the 900th anniversary of the birth of Adrian IV, the only Englishman to sit on the papal throne. His short pontificate of four and a half years, distracted by crisis and controversy and followed as it was by an 18-year schism, could be judged a low point in the history of the papacy. The studies in this book challenge the view that Adrian was little more than a cipher, the tool of powerful factions in the Curia. This is the first large-scale work on Adrian since 1925, and is supported by a substantial appendix of relevant sources and documents in facing translation. Relations with the Empire, the Norman kingdom and the Patrimony are all radically reassessed and the authenticity of 'Laudabiliter' reconsidered. At the same time, the spiritual, educational and devotional contexts in which he was operating are fully assessed; his activities in Catalonia and his legatine mission to Scandinavia are examined in the light of recent research, and his special relationship with St Albans is explored through his privileges to this great abbey. These studies by leading scholars in the field, together with the introductory chapter by Christopher Brooke, reveal an active and engaged pope, reacting creatively to the challenges and crises of the Church and the world. The Year 2002 Witnessed The 900th Anniversary Of The Birth Of Adrian Iv, The Only Englishman To Sit On The Papal Throne. His Short Pontificate Of Four And A Half Years, Distracted By Crisis And Controversy And Followed As It Was By An 18-year Schism, Could Be Judged A Low Point In The History Of The Papacy. The Studies In This Book Challenge The View That Adrian Was Little More Than A Cipher, The Tool Of Powerful Factions In The Curia. Relations With The Empire, The Norman Kingdom And The Patrimony Are All Radically Reassessed And The Authenticity Of 'laudabiliter' Reconsidered. At The Same Time, The Spiritual, Educational And Devotional Contexts In Which He Was Operating Are Fully Assessed; His Activities In Catalonia And His Legatine Mission To Scandanavia Are Examined In The Light Of Recent Research, And His Special Relationship With St. Albans Is Explored Through His Privileges To This Great Abbey. These Studies By Leading Scholars In The Field, Together With The Introductory Chapter By Christopher Brooke, Reveal An Active And Engaged Pope, Reacting Creatively To The Challenges And Crises Of The Church And The World. This Is The First Large-scale Work On Adrian Since 1925, And Is Supported By A Substantial Appendix Of Relevant Sources And Documents In Translation.--book Jacket. The Pontificate Of Adrian Iv -- Adrian Iv And John Of Salisbury / Christopher N. L. Brooke -- The Canon Regular: Saint-ruf In Context / Christoph Egger -- The Abbot-crusader: Nicholas Breakspear In Catalonia / Damian J. Smith -- The Papal Legate: Nicholas Breakspear's Scandinavian Mission / Anders Bergquist -- Summus Pontifex. The Ritual And Ceremonial Of The Papal Court / Susan E. Twyman -- St Albans' Loyal Son / Brenda Bolton -- Totius Christianitatis Caput. The Pope And The Princes / Anne J. Duggan -- Nova Familia Beati Petri. Adrian Iv And The Patrimony / Brenda Bolton -- Servus Servorum Dei / Anne J. Duggan -- Sources And Documents -- Narrative Sources -- Cardinal Boso, Vita Adriani Iv -- Otto Of Freising And His Continuator Rahewin -- William Of Newburgh, Historia Rerum Anglicarum, Ii. 6 -- Godfrey Of Viterbo, Gesta Friderici I, Cc. 10-12 -- Giraldus Cambrensis, Speculum Ecclesiae, 94-8 -- Giraldus Cambrensis, Expugnatio Hibernica -- Matthew Paris, Historia Anglorum, I, 299, 304, 310 -- Matthew Paris, Gesta Abbatum S. Albani -- Bernardus Guidonis, Vita Adriani Papae Iv -- Bartolomeo Platina, Hadrianus Iiii -- Privileges And Charters -- Incomprehensibilis: For St Albans' Abbey -- Effectum Iusta: For Byland Abbey -- Religiosam Uitam: For St Albans' Abbey -- Charter Of Odo Di Poli -- Charter For Odo Di Poli. Edited By Brenda Bolton; Anne J. Duggan. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Pope Adrian IV illustrates to a quite exceptional degree the cosmopolitan nature of twelfth-century religious culture.