Sources: Oderic, Robert of Torigni, Suger and The Pilgrim's Guide Flashcards
Who was Oderic Vitalis’ hero?
Henry I- He ticked all the boxes of Christian kingship
Where was Oderic Vitalis based and how did this impact his writing?
. At the age of 11 he was sent to the Abbey of Saint Evroul in Normandy
. Saint Evroul was constantly entertaining visitors from England so he was quite well informed of events
Nationality of Oderic Vitalis
. Half English, Half French.
. He was born in England but sent to Normandy at 11
Lifetime of Oderic Vitalis
c. 1075- c.1142. His narrative cuts off 1141/2
He’s useful for the stuff in his own lifetime/ contemporary view
Primary sources for MW2 ‘Twelfth Century England and Normandy until 1154’
Oderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni
Primary sources for MW3 ‘Anjou and Aquitaine’
Suger and The Pilgrim’s Guide
How does Oderic Vitalis present the Normans?
As a uniquely expansionist, somewhat ‘chosen’ race
Lifetime of Robert of Torigni
c. 1110- 1186
Nationality/ location of Robert of Torigni
Norman
Where was Robert of Torigni based and how did this impact his writing?
- He was based at Mont St Michel.
- The wealth and lure of Mont St Michel meant that it came into contact with kings on their journeys
How was Robert of Torigni connected to the Angevin dynasty?
He was godfather to Eleanor of Aquitaine
What were Robert of Torigni’s general opinions on the major players?
- He loved Henry II and is clear that Robert thought he was a great king
- Is praiseworthy of Matilda
- Also seems to have respected Stephen
What is the general consensus of Henry II from contemporary sources?
- Accounts of his reign are generally positive, such as Robert of Torigni. This appears to have been the general consensus
What is the general style of Robert of Torigni’s writing?
He seems to have been interested in writing in a chronological order, without a great deal of interpretation
Who was Suger?
A french abbot, historian and statesman.
He became the foremost historian of his time
Lifetime of Suger
c. 1081- 1151
What was Suger’s general opinion of Henry II?
He went on diplomatic meetings to Henry in Normandy and seems to have been impressed by him
Suger’s position/ sources as a writer
- Suger wrote a panegyric on Louis VI and co-wrote a slightly less impartial history of Louis VII
- He was very close with his subjects and to the French government, and was the closest advisor of Louis VI (the fat) and VII. He was actually educated with Louis VI and grew up with him
Suger as a writer…
- He uses ‘I’ and ‘we’ a lot in his writings, indicating his proximity to his subjects
- He had very clear ideas about what a king should be
Date of the Pilgrim’s Guide
- Comes from Book Vo f the Codex Calixtinus, dated to around 1138- 1145
Who wrote the pilgrim’s guide?
It is anonymous, although it is thought to be attributable to Aymeric Picaud, a 12th-century French monk, and scholar
Why was the pilgrim’s guide composed?
- Intended to give advice to pilgrims following the Camino de Santiago to Santiago de Compostella in Galicia
- It contains a wealth of practical advice for Pilgrims in the 12th century
Historical context of the pilgrim’s guide
the emergence of saint James as a patron saint for the fight against Islam in Iberia
Why is the pilgrim’s guide useful?
- Importance and place of national/ ethnic stereotyping
