Atto of Vercelli
Encyclopedia
Atto was a Frankish
monk and theologian who became Bishop of Vercelli (924/5–960/61, as Atto II), then in the Kingdom of Italy
. Atto was the son of a certain viscount Aldegarius. In 933 he became Grand Chancellor
to the young king of Italy, Lothair II
, receiving in return several donations and privileges for his see.
During his episcopate he garnered fame throughout Europe by his zeal for the spiritual and temporal welfare of his diocese and of the church in general. He wrote a short treatise on ethics, entitled Polypticum or Perpendiculum, which was first published alongside eighteen of his surviving sermons by Angelo Mai
in 1832. He also compiled canon law
, including some of the False Decretals, in his Canones, which also contains provisions of his own invention, which are of value for the study of contemporary ecclesiastical life and manners in northern Italy. The first editions of several of his writings were published by Luc d'Achery
(1609–85) in the eighth-volume Spicilegium.
Franks
The Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
monk and theologian who became Bishop of Vercelli (924/5–960/61, as Atto II), then in the Kingdom of Italy
Kingdom of Italy (medieval)
The Kingdom of Italy was a political entity under control of Carolingian dynasty of Francia first, after the defeat of the Lombards in 774. It was finally incorporated as a part of the Holy Roman Empire in 962....
. Atto was the son of a certain viscount Aldegarius. In 933 he became Grand Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
to the young king of Italy, Lothair II
Lothair II of Italy
Lothair II , often Lothair of Arles, was the King of Italy from 948 to his death. He was of the noble Frankish lineage of the Bosonids, descended from Boso the Elder...
, receiving in return several donations and privileges for his see.
During his episcopate he garnered fame throughout Europe by his zeal for the spiritual and temporal welfare of his diocese and of the church in general. He wrote a short treatise on ethics, entitled Polypticum or Perpendiculum, which was first published alongside eighteen of his surviving sermons by Angelo Mai
Angelo Mai
Angelo Mai was an Italian Cardinal and philologist. He won a European reputation for publishing for the first time a series of previously unknown ancient texts. These he was able to discover and publish, first while in charge of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan and then in the same role at the...
in 1832. He also compiled canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
, including some of the False Decretals, in his Canones, which also contains provisions of his own invention, which are of value for the study of contemporary ecclesiastical life and manners in northern Italy. The first editions of several of his writings were published by Luc d'Achery
Luc d'Achéry
Luc d'Achery was a learned French Benedictine of the Congregation of St. Maur, a specialist in the study and publication of medieval manuscripts.-Life:...
(1609–85) in the eighth-volume Spicilegium.