Herbert of Bosham
Encyclopedia
Herbert of Bosham was a twelfth century English biographer of Thomas Becket
, dates of birth and death unknown.
, Sussex
, from which he took his name.
He studied theology in Paris as a pupil of Peter Lombard
. He introduced Lombard's Sentences
into England.
Herbert remained closely attached to Thomas during the arduous and troubled years of his episcopacy and exile down to the very eve of the final scene in Canterbury Cathedral
. Of all the archbishop's followers he was the keenest antagonist of the king Henry II of England
and the royal "customs", quite ready on occasion to beard the king to his face or to undertake dangerous missions to England.
Herbert of Bosham's verbose biography of Becket has less historical value of than that of Fitzstephen. He shared Thomas's ideals and was an eyewitness of most of the incidents of his episcopacy. He had sat by him, for instance, during the stormy scenes of the trial at Northampton
. On the other hand he did not begin to write till 1184, many years after the events which he records, and Dom Albert L'Huillier gave reasons to doubt the accuracy of Herbert's reminiscences.
Besides the Life of St. Thomas, he wrote a lengthy Liber Melorum in praise of him. An edition of the Life is that contained in vol. III of the Materials for the History of Thomas Becket (Rolls Series
) edited by James Craigie Robertson; the volume also contains some extracts from the Liber Melorum.
Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion...
, dates of birth and death unknown.
Early life
He was probably born in BoshamBosham
Bosham is a small coastal village and civil parish in the Chichester District of West Sussex, England, about ) west of Chichester on an inlet of Chichester Harbour....
, Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
, from which he took his name.
He studied theology in Paris as a pupil of Peter Lombard
Peter Lombard
Peter Lombard was a scholastic theologian and bishop and author of Four Books of Sentences, which became the standard textbook of theology, for which he is also known as Magister Sententiarum-Biography:Peter Lombard was born in Lumellogno , in...
. He introduced Lombard's Sentences
Sentences
The Four Books of Sentences is a book of theology written by Peter Lombard in the twelfth century. It is a systematic compilation of theology, written around 1150; it derives its name from the sententiae or authoritative statements on biblical passages that it gathered together.-Origin and...
into England.
Companion to Becket
He must have joined Becket's household before 1162, as, on his elevation in that year, the new archbishop immediately promoted him to a responsible position. He was to give his master advice on the performance of his duties, and to assist and even direct his studies of Scripture.Herbert remained closely attached to Thomas during the arduous and troubled years of his episcopacy and exile down to the very eve of the final scene in Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
. Of all the archbishop's followers he was the keenest antagonist of the king Henry II of England
Henry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
and the royal "customs", quite ready on occasion to beard the king to his face or to undertake dangerous missions to England.
Biographer
After the death of Becket, Herbert seems to have lived mainly on the Continent, and he complains that he was neglected; he records, however, a friendly interview with the king himself. We know nothing of him after the year 1189.Herbert of Bosham's verbose biography of Becket has less historical value of than that of Fitzstephen. He shared Thomas's ideals and was an eyewitness of most of the incidents of his episcopacy. He had sat by him, for instance, during the stormy scenes of the trial at Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
. On the other hand he did not begin to write till 1184, many years after the events which he records, and Dom Albert L'Huillier gave reasons to doubt the accuracy of Herbert's reminiscences.
Besides the Life of St. Thomas, he wrote a lengthy Liber Melorum in praise of him. An edition of the Life is that contained in vol. III of the Materials for the History of Thomas Becket (Rolls Series
Rolls Series
The Rolls Series, official title The Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland during the Middle Ages, is a major collection of British and Irish historical materials and primary sources, published in the second half of the 19th century. Some 255 volumes, representing 99 separate...
) edited by James Craigie Robertson; the volume also contains some extracts from the Liber Melorum.