Research Catalog

Title

Writings on body and soul / Aelred of Rievaulx ; edited and translated by Bruce L. Venarde.

Author

Aelred, of Rievaulx, Saint, 1110-1167

Publication

• Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press, 2021.
• ©2021

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Venarde, Bruce L., 1962-

Description

xxiv, 360 pages; 22 cm.

Summary

"Many of Aelred's writings have autobiographical elements, including all those presented here. Spiritual Friendship, A Certain Marvelous Miracle, and Teachings for Recluses were completed in the last years of Aelred's life. A Pastoral Prayer, too, has usually been dated to this late period, but it could well be a much earlier work, written on the occasion of his election as abbot of Revesby in 1143 or as abbot of Rievaulx in 1147. It is an excellent introduction to Aelred as a person, an abbot, and a thinker, so it appears first. Pastoral Prayer is packed with biblical citations and allusions and draws inspiration from writings on the similar themes by Abbot John of Fe̹camp (d. 1070), Archbishop Anselm of Canterbury (1033/4-1109), and Aelred's fellow Cistercian abbot William of Saint-Thierry (ca. 1080-1148), behind all of which stands Augustine in his Confessions. It is nonetheless highly personal, its presentation elegant and powerful. Aelred's most popular work in the Middle Ages, Spiritual Friendship, was completed sometime between 1164 and Aelred's death in early 1167. The foundation is Cicero's On Friendship, frequently quoted and alluded to throughout. The second and third books of Spiritual Friendship are rich in positive and negative examples of friendship drawn from scripture, especially the historical books of the Hebrew Bible. Aelred frequently quotes or cites Ambrose of Milan's On Duties and Augustine's Confessions as well as other pagan and Christian authors. But Aelred does more than pile up quotations, references, and examples. Instead he creates a work of synthesis on the power of any friendship that has its origins and purpose in Christ. A Certain Marvelous Miracle is a brief narrative that is closer to Aelred's historical writings than to the other three texts in this book, which recounts events that took place around 1160 and were recorded two or three years later. It is a shocking story of sex and violence; however, Aelred saw this as a miracle story, not a tawdry tale but a manifestation of God's power and grace. Aelred's guide for women leading a solitary religious life, Teachings for Recluses, also dates to the abbot's last years. The work is addressed to the abbot's sister, who has had long experience as a recluse, and she is urged to share its contents with young women aspiring to this way of life. At the end, Aelred notes that the text is divided into three parts: one about the outer self, one about the inner self, and finally a guide to meditation designed to increase devotion to God. Teachings for Recluses is a highly inventive work, combining several elements into a harmonious whole. Some of the first section reads like a monastic rule, and the remarks on the inner life and youthful transgressions are in keeping with both traditional and more novel themes in Christian spirituality. At the same time, the description of the failings of some recluses is excellent satire"--

Series Statement

Dumbarton oaks medieval library; DOML 71

Uniform Title

Dumbarton Oaks medieval library ; 71.

Subject

• Spiritual life > Christianity > Early works to 1800
• Prayers, Medieval > Early works to 1800
• Friendship > Religious aspects > Christianity > Early works to 1800
• Love > Religious aspects > Christianity > Early works to 1800
• Friendship > Religious aspects > Christianity
• Love > Religious aspects > Christianity
• Prayers, Medieval
• Spiritual life > Christianity

Genre/Form

Early works.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Language (note)

• Facing page translation with Latin on the verso and English on the rectos ; introduction and notes in English.

Contents

A pastoral prayer -- Spiritual friendship -- A certain marvelous miracle -- Teachings for recluses.

Call Number

JFD 22-1382

ISBN

• 9780674261181
• 0674261186

LCCN

2021007287

OCLC

1240771438

Author

Aelred, of Rievaulx, Saint, 1110-1167, author.

Title

Writings on body and soul / Aelred of Rievaulx ; edited and translated by Bruce L. Venarde.

Publisher

Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press, 2021.

Copyright Date

©2021

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Series

Dumbarton oaks medieval library; DOML 71

Dumbarton Oaks medieval library ; 71.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Language

Facing page translation with Latin on the verso and English on the rectos ; introduction and notes in English.

Added Author

Container of (expression): Aelred, of Rievaulx, Saint, 1110-1167. Oratio pastoralis.

Container of (expression): Aelred, of Rievaulx, Saint, 1110-1167. Oratio pastoralis. English.

Container of (expression): Aelred, of Rievaulx, Saint, 1110-1167. De spirituali amicitia.

Container of (expression): Aelred, of Rievaulx, Saint, 1110-1167. De spirituali amicitia. English.

Container of (expression): Aelred, of Rievaulx, Saint, 1110-1167. De quodam miraculo mirabili. Latin (Venarde)

Container of (expression): Aelred, of Rievaulx, Saint, 1110-1167. De quodam miraculo mirabili. English (Venarde)

Container of (expression): Aelred, of Rievaulx, Saint, 1110-1167. De institutione inclusarum.

Container of (expression): Aelred, of Rievaulx, Saint, 1110-1167. De institutione inclusarum. English.

Venarde, Bruce L., 1962- editor, translator.

Research Call Number

JFD 22-1382