Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) :: essays research papers

Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)Table of Contents (Clicking on the links below will take you to that part of this article)* Life* Philosophical books* TheologyLifeThe father of medieval scholasticism and one of the close to eminent of English prelates was born at Aost Piedmont in 1033. Anselm died at Canterbury, England on April 21, 1109. While a boy he wished to be a monk, exclusively his father forbade it. When he was about twenty-three Anselm left home to kick the bucket in Burgundy and France. After three age he went to Bec in Normandy where his illustrious countryman, Lanfranc, was foregoing. Here he became a monk (1060). He succeeded Lanfranc as prior in 1063, and became abbot in 1078. The abbey had possessions in England, which called Anselm frequently to that country. He was the normal choice for archbishop of Canterbury when Lanfranc died (1089). However, the king, William Rufus, preferred to keep the office vacant, and apply its revenues to his own use. In 1093 Wi lliam fell ill and, literally forced Anselm to receive an appointment at his hands. He was consecrated December 4 of that year. The next four years witnessed a continual struggle between king and archbishop oer gold matters, rights, and privileges. Anselm wished to carry his case to Rome, and in 1097, with much difficulty, obtained permission from the king to go. At Rome he was honored and flattered, but he obtained little serviceable help in his struggle with the king. He returned to England as soon is he heard of the death of William in 1100. But a difficulty arose over lay investiture and homage from clerics for their benefices. Thought a mild and pocket-sized man, Anselm had adopted the Gregorian views of the relation between Church and State, and adhered to them with the steadiness of painstaking conviction. The king, though inclined to be conciliatory, was equally firm from motives of self-interest. He had a high regard for Anselm, always treated him with much consideration , and personal traffic between them were generally friendly. Nevertheless there was much vexatious disputing, several(prenominal) fruitless embassies were sent to Rome, and Anselm himself went thither in 1103, remaining abroad bank 1106. His quarrel with the king was settled by compromise in 1107 and the brief remaining period of his life was peaceful. He was canonized in 1494. back off to Table of ContentsPhilosophical WritingsAs a metaphysician Anselm was a realist, and one of his earliest works, De fide Trinitatis, was an attack on the doctrine of the Trinity as expounded by the nominalist Roscelin.