Libellus constructionis Farfensis
Encyclopedia
The Libellus constructionis Farfensis ("Little Book of the Construction of Farfa"), often referred to simply as the Constructio in context, is a written history of the Abbey of Farfa
from its foundation by Thomas of Maurienne
circa 700 until the death of Abbot Hilderic
in 857. It is about the "construction" of a powerful abbey with vast landholdings. It was used as a source for two later histories, which are basically continuations: the Destructio monasterii Farfensis of Abbot Hugh
(died 1039) and the Chronicon Farfense by Gregory of Catino
(died 1133).
The surviving Libellus is fragmentary, and appears only in one eleventh-century lectionary
from Farfa, now in the Biblioteca Nazionale
, but which was probably not the Libellus which Hugh and Gregory worked from. The Libellus partly relies on the earlier Vita of the founders of San Vincenzo al Volturno
by its abbot Autpert Ambrose
(770s). It also records the epitaph of Abbot Sichard
(died 842), which was only re-discovered in 1959, but which authenticated the Libellus. Although the anonymous author was apparently a good copyist, it is impossible to properly assess his historically accuracy for many details he chronicles, but a comparison with the Regestum Farfense (a massive register of Farfa's charters, compiled by Gregory of Catino) shows that his outlines are correct.
Abbey of Farfa
Farfa Abbey is a territorial abbey in northern Lazio, central Italy. It is one of the most famous abbeys of Europe. It belongs to the Benedictine Order and is located about 60 km from Rome, in the commune of Fara Sabina, not far from the Fara Sabina railway station.-History:A legend in the...
from its foundation by Thomas of Maurienne
Thomas of Maurienne
Thomas of Maurienne was the first abbot of the Abbey of Farfa, which he founded between 680 and c.700. Although the sources of his life are much later, and he is surrounded by legends, his historicity is beyond doubt....
circa 700 until the death of Abbot Hilderic
Hilderic of Farfa
Hilderic was the fifteenth Abbot of Farfa from 844. In 842 Abbot Sichard died, and the Emperor Lothair I intervened to appoint Bishop Peter II of Spoleto in control of the abbey in the interim. Peter organised an election, in which the monks chose Hilderic, and convinced Lothair to confirm him in...
in 857. It is about the "construction" of a powerful abbey with vast landholdings. It was used as a source for two later histories, which are basically continuations: the Destructio monasterii Farfensis of Abbot Hugh
Hugh of Farfa
Hugh was the Abbot of Farfa from 998. He founded the abbatial school and wrote its history from the late ninth through the early eleventh century under the title Destructio monasterii Farfensis...
(died 1039) and the Chronicon Farfense by Gregory of Catino
Gregory of Catino
Gregory of Catino was a monk of the Abbey of Farfa and "one of the most accomplished monastic historians of his age." Gregory died shortly after 1130, possibly in 1133....
(died 1133).
The surviving Libellus is fragmentary, and appears only in one eleventh-century lectionary
Lectionary
A Lectionary is a book or listing that contains a collection of scripture readings appointed for Christian or Judaic worship on a given day or occasion.-History:...
from Farfa, now in the Biblioteca Nazionale
Biblioteca Nazionale
Biblioteca Nazionale may refer to one of four national libraries in Italy:*Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale Firenze in Florence*Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale Roma in Rome*Biblioteca Nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III in Naples...
, but which was probably not the Libellus which Hugh and Gregory worked from. The Libellus partly relies on the earlier Vita of the founders of San Vincenzo al Volturno
San Vincenzo al Volturno
San Vincenzo al Volturno is an historic Benedictine monastery located in the territories of the Comune of Castel San Vincenzo, in the Province of Isernia, near the source of the river Volturno in Italy...
by its abbot Autpert Ambrose
Autpert Ambrose
Autpert Ambrose was a Frankish Benedictine monk.He became abbot of San Vicenzo on the Volturno in South Italy in the time of Desiderius, king of the Lombards. Autpert's election as abbot caused internal dissent at St. Vicenzo, and both Pope Stephen III and Charlemagne intervened...
(770s). It also records the epitaph of Abbot Sichard
Sichard
Sichard was the Abbot of Farfa from c.830 to 842. His abbacy corresponds with a drop in the number of property transactions involving Farfa, perhaps because "[its] wealth was by that time sufficient to cover major building at the abbey itself." Sichard added an oratory to the existing abbey.On...
(died 842), which was only re-discovered in 1959, but which authenticated the Libellus. Although the anonymous author was apparently a good copyist, it is impossible to properly assess his historically accuracy for many details he chronicles, but a comparison with the Regestum Farfense (a massive register of Farfa's charters, compiled by Gregory of Catino) shows that his outlines are correct.
Further reading
- U. Longo, "Agiografia e identità monastica a Farfa tra XI e XII secolo", Cristianesimo nella storia, 26 (2000), 311–41.