John of la Rochelle
Encyclopedia
John of la Rochelle was a French Franciscan
theologian
(d. 8 February 1245).
He was born in La Rochelle
(Latin Rupella), towards the end of the twelfth century and seems to have entered the Franciscan Order at an early age. He was a disciple of Alexander of Hales
and was the first Franciscan to receive a bachelor's degree
of theology from the University of Paris
.
By 1238, he was a master of theology, with his own pupils, for his name is found in the list of masters convoked in that year by William of Auvergne, Bishop of Paris
, to discuss the question of ecclesiastical benefices
.
John was among those who declared against the general lawfulness of plurality. He appears to have enjoyed a favorable reputation, and is described by Bernard of Besse
as a professor of great fame for holiness and learning, whose writings were both solid and extremely useful.
In dissensions which rent the Franciscan order, John was one of the most determined opponents of Brother Elias, and with Alexander of Hales placed himself at the head of the movement which brought about Elias's downfall in 1239. At the command of Haymo of Faversham
, who succeeded Elias as general, he collaborated with Alexander of Hales, Robert of Bastia, Richard Rufus of Cornwall
, and several others, on an explanation of the Rule of St. Francis. The work received the approbation of the chapter (probably definitorial) of the order held at Bologna
, Italy
in 1242, and subsequently became known as the "Exposition of the Four Masters."
The majority of succeeding writers place John of Rupella's death in 1271, but a letter of Robert Grosseteste
, Bishop of Lincoln
, written in Sept. or Oct., 1245, speaks of him as being then already dead: "mortuis fratribus Alexandro de Hales, et Joanne de Rupellis."
His best known work is the "Summa de Anima." Father Fidelis a Fanna says that no work on the same subject is to be found so frequently in manuscripts of the thirteenth and fourteenth century in the many Europe
an libraries
he searched.
John was influenced by the English Alexander of Hales
and some of his work is similar to Englishman Alexander Carpenter
in thought.
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
theologian
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
(d. 8 February 1245).
He was born in La Rochelle
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a city in western France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department.The city is connected to the Île de Ré by a bridge completed on 19 May 1988...
(Latin Rupella), towards the end of the twelfth century and seems to have entered the Franciscan Order at an early age. He was a disciple of Alexander of Hales
Alexander of Hales
Alexander Hales also called Doctor Irrefragabilis and Theologorum Monarcha was a notable thinker important in the history of scholasticism and the Franciscan School.-Life:Alexander was born at Hales ,...
and was the first Franciscan to receive a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
of theology from the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
.
By 1238, he was a master of theology, with his own pupils, for his name is found in the list of masters convoked in that year by William of Auvergne, Bishop of Paris
William of Auvergne, Bishop of Paris
William of Auvergne was a French priest who served as Bishop of Paris from 1228 until his death in 1249. He is also known as Guillaume d'Auvergne, Guilielmus Alvernus, or William of Paris.-Life:...
, to discuss the question of ecclesiastical benefices
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
.
John was among those who declared against the general lawfulness of plurality. He appears to have enjoyed a favorable reputation, and is described by Bernard of Besse
Bernard of Besse
Bernard of Besse was a French Friar Minor and chronicler.He was a native of Aquitaine, with date of birth uncertain; he belonged to the custody of Cahors and was secretary to St. Bonaventure. He took up the pen after the Seraphic Doctor, he tells us, to gather the ears the latter had dropped from...
as a professor of great fame for holiness and learning, whose writings were both solid and extremely useful.
In dissensions which rent the Franciscan order, John was one of the most determined opponents of Brother Elias, and with Alexander of Hales placed himself at the head of the movement which brought about Elias's downfall in 1239. At the command of Haymo of Faversham
Haymo of Faversham
Haymo of Faversham was an English Franciscan and schoolman, born at Faversham, Kent and died at Anagni, Italy, circa 1243. Following the custom in the Middle Ages to designate the more celebrated among the doctors by certain epithets, he is called Inter Aristotelicos Aristotelicissimus...
, who succeeded Elias as general, he collaborated with Alexander of Hales, Robert of Bastia, Richard Rufus of Cornwall
Richard Rufus of Cornwall
Richard Rufus of Cornwall was an English Franciscan scholastic philosopher and theologian who studied at Paris and at Oxford....
, and several others, on an explanation of the Rule of St. Francis. The work received the approbation of the chapter (probably definitorial) of the order held at Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in 1242, and subsequently became known as the "Exposition of the Four Masters."
The majority of succeeding writers place John of Rupella's death in 1271, but a letter of Robert Grosseteste
Robert Grosseteste
Robert Grosseteste or Grossetete was an English statesman, scholastic philosopher, theologian and Bishop of Lincoln. He was born of humble parents at Stradbroke in Suffolk. A.C...
, Bishop of Lincoln
Bishop of Lincoln
The Bishop of Lincoln is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury.The present diocese covers the county of Lincolnshire and the unitary authority areas of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The Bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral...
, written in Sept. or Oct., 1245, speaks of him as being then already dead: "mortuis fratribus Alexandro de Hales, et Joanne de Rupellis."
His best known work is the "Summa de Anima." Father Fidelis a Fanna says that no work on the same subject is to be found so frequently in manuscripts of the thirteenth and fourteenth century in the many Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an libraries
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
he searched.
John was influenced by the English Alexander of Hales
Alexander of Hales
Alexander Hales also called Doctor Irrefragabilis and Theologorum Monarcha was a notable thinker important in the history of scholasticism and the Franciscan School.-Life:Alexander was born at Hales ,...
and some of his work is similar to Englishman Alexander Carpenter
Alexander Carpenter
Alexander Carpenter, Latinized as Fabricius , was the author of the Destructorium viciorum, a religious work popular in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries...
in thought.
External links
- Guide to Thirteenth Century Theologians (Gary Macy, University of San Diego) (dead link)
- Jean de la Rochelle (Université de Napierville)