No More Learning

"^ See ibid. , p. 543.
^ See " Annales Ordinis S; Benedicti,"
tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , p. 53.
pp. 522 to 524.
ss He was a pious and an accomplished
monarch, yet little suited for the government of that great empire, which had been in' herited from his father Charlemagne. See
9° See Rev. S.
" Lives of
Baring-Gould's
the Saints," vol. ii. , February iv. , p. 92.
9' See M. le Dr. Hoefer's "Nouvelle Bio- graphic Generale," &c. , tome xxi. , col. 340.
9' In the diocese of Soissons, founded by St. Rigule, A. D. 680. See I'Abbe Migne's " Dictionnaire des Abbayes et Monasteres," col. 602.
"
Deuxiime Race dite des Carlovingiens, pp.
Nones, A. d. 818. See Eginhard's Annales 93 This tract had not previously been De Gestis Ludovici Pii Imp. Du Chesne's
edited, in the collected edition of Raban's
works ; but, Mabillon procured a copy, from Molk monastery, in Austria, and this he has
published in his appendix to the second tome of his history, art. Li. , pp. 726 to 736.
•* Historioe Francorum Scriptores," tomus
ii. , p. 262.
99 See Henri Martin's "Histoire de France
depuis les Temps les plus recules jusqu en 1789*" tome ii. , liv. xiv. , pp. 376, 377,
L. P. Anquetil's
Histoire de France. "
65, 66. " 96 See le P. G. Daniel's
Histoire de
France," tome ii. , p. 177.
97 See ibid. , p. 222.
^ She died, on the v. of the Octobef
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS,
309
born of this
^°° Soon he was
over that
appointed sovereign,
of Germany, bounded by the Rivers Danube, Rhine, Maine and Neckar, as also over the country of Burgundy, the Grisons and the Swiss Cantons. This division was opposed by the three elder sons. Pepin and Louis united their forces with those of Lothaire ; while, the imperial army deserted its
standards, the emperor was taken prisoner, and the empress was obliged to
^°^
marriage.
part
Lothaire exacted submission, in turn, from his other brothers, and for some time held his father a captive. Yet, after an interval, Lothaire felt remorse for his unfilial conduct, threw himself at his father's feet to beg pardon for his offence, while he consented voluntarily to '"^ The diet of the confirmed this
take refuge, in a monastery.
his
restoration, and the empress returned from the monastery. '°3 Implacable in her resentment, Judith persecuted Lothaire to such a degree, that he was obliged to join his brothers Pepin and Louis, in a new confederacy, against their father. Pope Gregory IV. '°4 then conferred the imperial dignity on Lothaire. The unhappy monarch Louis was again deposed, while Judith was sent into a nunnery in Lombardy, and her son Charles to prison. ^°s However Louis, King of Bavaria, united his forces with the Franks and Saxons, so that, by a counter-revolution, the aged emperor was again restored, the empress was released from the nunnery, and Charles from his prison. ^°^
Judith's ambition, notwithstanding, soon produced a new flame. She per- suaded the emperor, in-837,'°7 to invest her son Charles with the sovereignty of
Neustria,aswellaswiththedominionsformerlyassignedhim. Lothaireand Pepin manifested great discontent. The latter soon afterwards died, leaving
two infant sons, Pepin and Charles. These were altogether disregarded, while the Emperor Louis divided his French dominions, between his sons
Lothaire and Charles. ^°^ of Louis, King
relinquish
usurped authority.
empire
Bavaria,
partition, flew to arms, but, he was obliged to submit ; however, the ambitious
empress kept affairs in a disturbed state, until after a most unfortunate reign
of twenty-seven years, the Emperor Louis I. died June 20th, a. d. 84o. '°9 Hisdeceasewasfollowedbyacivilwar,amonghissons. Theunitedforces of Lothaire and of his nephew Pepin were defeated, by those of Charles and Louis, in a very bloody battle, fought June 25th, a. d. 841, on the plains of Fontenay or Fontenailles, near Auxerre. There, it is said, nearly 80,000
men "° Lothaire fled to perished.
and thence to
and, again, he pressed
the conquerors so vigorously, that these gladly assented to a new partition of the empire. In this division, Lothaire was allowed to occupy all Italy, with that whole tract of country, between the Rivers Rhone and Rhine, as also that between the Meuse and Scheld. Louis held Bavaria with the rest of Germany, while Charles had Aquitain, with that country lying between the LoireandtheMeuse. "' Thus,FranceandGermanyweredisseveredand
^''° ^°'
Aix-la-Chapelle, Yet, he found means to recruit his shattered forces ;
Italy.
Pertz's
See ibid. , — p. 380,
" Encyclopedia
^°s See
Thes—e events although belonging to vii. , ai-t. France, p 400. Dublin edition.
A. D. 833 are ascribed to a. d, 834, in *'
^°^ "
See L. P. Anquetil's Histoire de
Marianus Scottus' Chronicon. " See
'°^
France," tome ii,, pp. 272, 273,
'°3 See L, P. Anquetil's "Histoire de
France," p, 67,
'°* He sat m the Papal Chair from A. D.
827 to the 29th of January A. D. 844. See
France," p. 68.
^°7 See le P. G. Daniel's "Histoire de
France," tome ii. , p. 276.
^°^
France," p. 68,
"? See Fleury's "Histoire Ecclesias-
tique," tome x,, liv. xlvii. , sec. Iviii,, p. 342,
"
tomus v. , p. 550.
Monuraenta Germanise Historica,"
See le P, G. Daniel's "Histoire de
"
rium," pars i. , sseculum ix. , cap. i. , p. 206.
France," tome ii. , liv. xiv,, pp. 413, 414.
^"
Berti's
Ecclesiasticae Historiae Brevia-
"°
See Henri Martin's "Histoire de
who was in the neglected
^ee L. P. Anquetil's "Histoire de
This is referred to A. D, 842 in Maria-
Britannica," vol.
3IO LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February 4.
never again united under one head. '" Lothaire, disgusted with the cares and anxieties of his situation, retired from the throne, to a monastery, in 855, having allotted to his eldest son, Louis 11. , the sovereignty of Italy, to his second son Lothaire the territory of Lorraine, with the title of king, and to his youngest son Charles, surnamed the Bald, Provence, Dauphiny, and part ofthekingdomofBurgundy. "3 Thelatterwasthusdistinctivelyregarded as the King of France. During the contest, between Louis le D^bonnaire and his sons, Raban conducted himself with such care and wisdom, that he preserved the confidence and good-will of all parties. Thus was he enabled to assume effectually the office of mediator. "* About the year 834, when Ludovicus had repelled the factious efforts of his sons, Raban wrote a con- solatory epistle to him. "5 At the same time, he wrote a tract on the re- verencewhichchildrenshouldmanifesttowardstheirparents. "*^ Aboutthis period, likewise, he published or circulated his commentaries on the books of Judith and Esther. "7 Rudolf states, that he wrote a book to the Emperor Lewis, against those, who desired to abrogate the oblation, according to St. Benedict's Rule. To him, he sent that epistle, likewise, which was of a con- solatory character, and after a calamity which had befallen him, on the part of his sons and chiefs. In this, he proves by Scriptural testimony, that a false judgment cannot rightly condemn the innocent, and in which he urges theemperortopardontheoffencescommittedagainsthim. Afterwards,by encouragement of the same emperor, he compiled a garland of sentences, selected from the Sacred Scriptures. Thence he proves, that honour towards parents must be observed, and that subjection to the power ordained by God should be a matter of conscience. Then he shows, how every grade in the Church must contend, in reference to the different kinds of vices and of virtues, as proved by Divine authority. This treatise he finished, in forty chapters. "^ RabanwasaparticularfriendofEginhard,AbbotofSelingestad, of St. Bavo, Ghent, and of Blandinius. He appears to have died, about a. d. 839. Raban wrote his epitaph. About this time, also, he composed a commentary, on the Books of Maccabees, which he illustrated by reference to other historical books of the Old Testament, to Josephus, and to the histories of various nations. "^ During this period, too, he wrote commen- tariesontheBooksofWisdomandofEcclesiasticus. "° Thesehededicated toOtgar,"*ArchbishopofMayence. "^ Withthese,hewroteapenitentiary,
nus Scottus' "Chronicon. " See Pertz's
"Monumenta Germani£e Historica," tomus
v. , pp. 55o» 55^'
'"See "Encyclopedia Britannica," vol.
vii,, p. 401. Dublin edition.
"3 See le P. G. Daniel's ** Histoire de
France," tome ii. , pp. 357, 358.
"* See Mre. Louis Moreri's **Le Grand
'2° To the year 827, Sigebert refers the composition of these tooks. It seems likely he was not abbot, at the time he composed them; as, in the Nuncupatory Epistle to the Book ofWisdom, he calls himself sim- ply, HRabanus, and in that to the Book of Ecclesiasticus, he calls himself, HRabanus peccator.
Dictionnaire 3.
Historique," &c,,
tome
ix. , p.
"' Before the
year 850,
the Book of
"S In the year 1704, this had not been published, accordint^ to Mabillon.
"^
Stephanas Baluzius has published this treatise.
"7 See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii,, lib. xxxi. , sec. xxi,,
p. 564.
"•^
See Rudolf's, or the First Life, as published by the Bollandists. "Acta Sane- torum," tomus i. , Februarii iv. , p. 522.
"9 See " Histoire Literaire de la France," tome V. Neuvieme Siecle, p. 165.
toire Literaire de la France," &c. , tome v.
Neuvieme Siecle, p. 162.
'-^
late "honoris causa," and states, he had no
riches, only possessing what was necessary
for poor servants of Christ. Towards the end of his preface, Raban declares, he had
in preparation an Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiasticus, which he desired for dedica- tion to the same Archbishop Otgar, that he might exhibit some solicitude, in the illus- tration of the Divine Scriptures. See
Wisdom is addressed to him. See
**
His-
The first commentary he offers the pre-
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 311
inlikemanner,dedicatedtohim. "3 AlthoughBellator,apriest,composed eight books on the Book of Wisdom, yet, Raban seems to have been unac- quainted with this fact, since, he observes, before that time he found no ex- positiononthewholeBookofWisdom. "* Forabouttwentyyears,Raban exercised the office of abbot, over that establishment his zeal and labours had made so celebrated. To achieve still greater purposes, he resolved to seek a place for retirement. Murmurs began to prevail among the monks, who complained, it has been reported by some moderns,"s that Raban neglected the temporahties of their monastery, and that studies engrossed too much of his time. Happily for posterity, his thoughts and turn of mind had been thus directed to solitude ; for, his valuable and learned works
remain,asapreciousinheritancetotheChurch. TheAbbeyofFuldaand
itstemporalitieshavelongsincedisappeared. "^ Itisthewellknownvictory of mind over matter. In 1782, Benedict XIV. , preserving its regular state fortheAbbeyofFulda,elevatedittotherankofabishopricexempt. At
last, the abbey was secularized, a. d. 1803. "7 Deeming it a matter of chiefest importance to study and meditate on the Divine Word, Raban applied him- self with zeal and fervour to this great duty. He loved not honours nor
dignities, so he willingly resigned his office, for a state of life, more congenial to his pursuits. Hatto"^ took charge of the Abbacy of Fulda, when Raban retired from it. He chose Mount St. Peter for his place of retirement, and there beside the monastery, he had already built a church, at the eastern side. "9 Asfromearlyyouth,hehadbeendevoted,especiallytothestudy of Sacred Scripture, and to holy meditation ; now, little occurred to distract his attention, from a purpose, to which he had been urged, by the monks and by other friends. He resolved to finish commentaries on the Old and New Testament, as likewise to write other works, which he deemed must redound to the greater honour of God, and to the good of his neighbour. '3o
While here, he engaged on the composition of many important works. When the Emperor Louis I. was living, he commenced the exposition on
Jeremias,andanotheronEzechiel;^3i bothwereundertaken,attherequest of the Emperor Lothaire, who wrote two letters. In one of these, '3^ Raban is urged to treat on the secrets of nature ; in the other,^33he is recommended to comment on the Sacred Scripture. About a. d. 844, he composed his work, " De Universo," which he dedicated to Almoin, Bishop of Hal- berdstat. ^34
Mabillon's
"
Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti,"
lished at Antwerp, a. d, 1612.
tomus lib. ii. ,
"9 Mabillon
It is supposed, that the latter, likewise, may be identical with a
sec.
"3 In the fifteenth chapter, he mentions
the battle of Fontenay. See ibid,, lib. xxxiii. , sec. xix. , p. 656.
"4 See ibid. , lib. xxxii. , sec. xvii. , pp. 610, 611.
"S The authors of * ' Histoire Literaire de la France," very justly assert, that ancient writers report no such neglect, tome v. Neuvieme Siecle, p. 153, n. i.
xxx. ,
v. , p. 510.
"<^See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. vi. , p. 487.
"7 See I'Abbe Migne's " Dictionnaire des AbbayesetMonasteres,"col. 315.
thecommentaryonEzechiel. Init,allusion "^ He ruled it for fifteen years, and he is made to Raban's love of solitude, and to
died on the day before the April Ides, a. d.
861, according to the Chronicle of Marianus
Scottus. Brower has his death at a. d. 856.
the spot chosen for his retirement.
'34 ii^ the preface to ihis work, he com-
plains, that not only the Pagans, but even the Christians, caused great trouble to the
bishop, owing to their depravity and inso-
"
lib. iv. , p. 279. This latter work was pub-
See
Fuldensium Antiquitatum," libri iiii. ,
*'
— duodecim fere a mo-
says,
nasterio stadiis. " "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxxiii. , sec. xix. ,
p. 656.
'3° See " Histoire Literairedela France,"
tome v. , p. 153.
'3i " Ab—eo loco, ubi Sanctus Gregorius
Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxxiii. , sect.
xix. , p. 656.
^3^ The letter itself has not been re-
covered.
'33 This letter is to be found, prefixed to
desierat. "
312 LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
bishop,''3S celebrated in Raban's verses. In it, he alludes to the uncivilized character of the people. '36 Then, too, Rudolf tells us, Raban wrote the commentaries on St. Paul's Epistles, collected in thirty books, chiefly taken fromtheworksoftheHolyFathers. Acertaindeacon,Lupus,'37encouraged him to undertake this labour. To the same period must be referred an
epistle or treatise on the Chorepiscopi, addressed to Drogo, Bishop of Metz,'38 and another epistle, directed to Regimbold, Chorepiscopus of Mayence, on certainpenitentialquestions. '39 FromMountSt. Peterhewasdrawn,inthe time of Lewis II. ,'4° Emperor of Germany, to assume the episcopal charge of Mainz or Mayence, a city at the confluence of the Rivers Rhine and Main. This election and consecration took place, about a. d. 846,^41 or 847. '42 The Benedictine authors of the French History of Literature state, that it occurred during the latter year, and on the 24th of June, the feast of St. John the Baptist. '''*3 His consecration took place in the cathedral, and in presence of Louis, King of Germany. '^4 During the year of his appoint- mentasarchbishopoverMayence,St. Rabanheldacouncil. Thisassembly
wasinsession,aboutthebeginningofthemonthofOctober,a. d. 847. ^45 it
isknownastheCouncilofMoguntinumorMayence. Initwerediscussed
various matters, relating to discipline, while some decrees were passed in reference to usurpers of ecclesiastical property. '^6 This Council of Mayence was convoked with the advice and sanction of King Lewis, and it was held at the Abbey of St. Alban. '^? Several bishops and abbots were assisting. About this time, a certain false German prophetess, named Thiota or Thierda, came to Mayence. Among other pretended revelations to her, and which were secrets known only to God, she publicly proclaimed the Day of General Judgment should take place, during that very year. Strange as it may seem, not alone many of the laity, flocking to hear, and regarding her as a great saint, offered presents to secure her prayers ; but, what is still more extra- ord. nary, some men in holy orders did not hesitate to regard her as one inspired by heaven. Raban and the other bishops summoned her before the council, where, after a close examination, she admitted adopting the role of an impostor for the sake of gain. She retired in disgrace and confounded, while her false predictions ceased any longer to engage the interest or fears of the people. ''^'^ Although Raban was infirm and of a very delicate constitu-
lence, so as even frequently to interrupt the prayers and studies of their pastor. This work treats about God, the Holy Trinity,
569.
'*' According to Marianus Scottus, Otgar,
Archbishop of Mayence, died this year,
when Raban, it is stated, succeeded i^or a See liistoire Literaire de la France," term of nine years. See "Chronicon. "
the anyels, man, and all other creatures. "
tome V. Neuvieme Siecle, pp. 155, 156. '^5 He is called " Pra;ciarus Episcopus ;" but, the former term does not seem to be a
proper name, in the opinion of Brower. *^"F:st rudis hie populus, est durus,
quern regis ipse. "
*37 An account of this Lupus and of his
I'ertz's
"
Monumenta Germaniae Hislorica,"
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's Lives of the Saints," vol. ii. , February iv. , p. 92. '« See " Histoire Literaire de la France,"
tome v. Neuvieme Siecle, p. 153.
'-t* See Mre. Louis Moreri's *' Grand Die- tionnaire Hislorique," &c. , tome ix. , p. 3.
Paris edition, 1759, fol.
'ts See Trithemms' Vita B. Rabani Archi-
sec.
of History. " Chronological List of Councils, p. 228.
'° His term of rule lasted from A. D. 840
to 876. See "Annales Francorum Ful- tionnaire Historique," &c. , tome ix. , p. 3. denses," Du Chesne's "Historic Fran- "»8 See Trithemius, Vita B. Rabani, lib. corum Scriptores," tomus ii. , pp. 547, 568, iii. , cap. i. , sec. 2, p. 535.
" raire de la France," tome v.
writings vviil be found in
Histoire Lite- Neuvieme
Siecle, pp. 255 to 272.
'38 To this Rudolf alludes.
'39 See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxxiii. , sec. xix. , p.