Ratgar
Encyclopedia
Ratgar was a controversial abbot at the famous Benedictine monastery of Fulda
during the early ninth century.
. Sturm died in 779 and Baugulf succeeded him as abbot, ruling until his retirement in 802, when he was succeeded by Ratgar.
The sources on Ratgar's abbacy provide conflicting pictures of his rule. The future abbot of Fulda, Hraban Maur, writes of Ratgar in several poems. In one he praises the grand building projects Ratgar undertook, calling him a "wise architect." The great Basilica, dedicated by Archbishop Haistolf in 819, was undertaken during his reign.
Ratgar also showed concern for the education of the young monks in his care, sending them to study with the leading scholars of the day. He sent Hraban Maur (future abbot, archbishop and leading theologian) and Hatto to Tours to study the liberal arts with Alcuin
, the founding scholar of the Carolingian Renaissance. He sent Candidus Bruun
and Modestus to study with another luminary, Charlemagne's biographer Einhard
, and he sent Candidus and others to Clemens Scottus, one of the many renowned Irish scholars living on the continent.
On the other hand, it seems he was excessively severe on his monks. Hraban Maur, in another poem, recounts that a number of monks seceded from Ratgar's Rule. The Saxon Chronicle recounts that, in 811, there was a great disturbance among the monks at Fulda, and other contemporary chronicles also mention chaos and dissent among the brothers, noting that a delegation of 12 monks made a plea before Charlemagne
for him to reform the monastery.
Candidus Bruun, who lived at Fulda throughout Ratgar's reign, paints an extremely negative picture of Ratgar. He nicknames Ratgar "monoceros", meaning "unicorn" (the unicorn was considered a violent and dangerous beast), and depicts an abbey divided by dissent.
Despite the attempts of several bishops and archbishops to intervene, Ratgar continued his manner of rule among the monks, until in 817 he was "charged and convicted" by the monks., and the Emperor Louis the Pious
had him deposed and banished. Ratgar's successor Eigil restored peace in the divided monastery.
Fulda
Fulda is a city in Hesse, Germany; it is located on the river Fulda and is the administrative seat of the Fulda district .- Early Middle Ages :...
during the early ninth century.
Life
Ratgar was abbot of the monastery of Fulda from 802 until 817. He was from a noble family in Germania, and was sent by his parents to Fulda, whose monastery school was already becoming a renowned center of learning. which was at the time ruled by Saint Sturm, a disciple of Saint BonifaceSaint Boniface
Saint Boniface , the Apostle of the Germans, born Winfrid, Wynfrith, or Wynfryth in the kingdom of Wessex, probably at Crediton , was a missionary who propagated Christianity in the Frankish Empire during the 8th century. He is the patron saint of Germany and the first archbishop of Mainz...
. Sturm died in 779 and Baugulf succeeded him as abbot, ruling until his retirement in 802, when he was succeeded by Ratgar.
The sources on Ratgar's abbacy provide conflicting pictures of his rule. The future abbot of Fulda, Hraban Maur, writes of Ratgar in several poems. In one he praises the grand building projects Ratgar undertook, calling him a "wise architect." The great Basilica, dedicated by Archbishop Haistolf in 819, was undertaken during his reign.
Ratgar also showed concern for the education of the young monks in his care, sending them to study with the leading scholars of the day. He sent Hraban Maur (future abbot, archbishop and leading theologian) and Hatto to Tours to study the liberal arts with Alcuin
Alcuin
Alcuin of York or Ealhwine, nicknamed Albinus or Flaccus was an English scholar, ecclesiastic, poet and teacher from York, Northumbria. He was born around 735 and became the student of Archbishop Ecgbert at York...
, the founding scholar of the Carolingian Renaissance. He sent Candidus Bruun
Candidus of Fulda
Candidus Bruun of Fulda was a Benedictine scholar of the ninth-century Carolingian Renaissance of letters.-Biography:He received his first instruction from the learned Eigil, Abbot of Fulda, 818-822...
and Modestus to study with another luminary, Charlemagne's biographer Einhard
Einhard
Einhard was a Frankish scholar and courtier. Einhard was a dedicated servant of Charlemagne and his son Louis the Pious; his main work is a biography of Charlemagne, the Vita Karoli Magni, "one of the most precious literary bequests of the early Middle Ages."-Public life:Einhard was from the eastern...
, and he sent Candidus and others to Clemens Scottus, one of the many renowned Irish scholars living on the continent.
On the other hand, it seems he was excessively severe on his monks. Hraban Maur, in another poem, recounts that a number of monks seceded from Ratgar's Rule. The Saxon Chronicle recounts that, in 811, there was a great disturbance among the monks at Fulda, and other contemporary chronicles also mention chaos and dissent among the brothers, noting that a delegation of 12 monks made a plea before Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
for him to reform the monastery.
Candidus Bruun, who lived at Fulda throughout Ratgar's reign, paints an extremely negative picture of Ratgar. He nicknames Ratgar "monoceros", meaning "unicorn" (the unicorn was considered a violent and dangerous beast), and depicts an abbey divided by dissent.
Despite the attempts of several bishops and archbishops to intervene, Ratgar continued his manner of rule among the monks, until in 817 he was "charged and convicted" by the monks., and the Emperor Louis the Pious
Louis the Pious
Louis the Pious , also called the Fair, and the Debonaire, was the King of Aquitaine from 781. He was also King of the Franks and co-Emperor with his father, Charlemagne, from 813...
had him deposed and banished. Ratgar's successor Eigil restored peace in the divided monastery.
External links
- Candidus' Life of Eigil in verse and prose, featuring negative account of Ratgar's Rule
- The Monastery of Fulda, article at New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia
See also
- Abbey of Fulda
- Raban Maur
- Candidus Bruun of FuldaCandidus of FuldaCandidus Bruun of Fulda was a Benedictine scholar of the ninth-century Carolingian Renaissance of letters.-Biography:He received his first instruction from the learned Eigil, Abbot of Fulda, 818-822...
- Sturm of FuldaSaint SturmSaint Sturm was a disciple of Saint Boniface and founder and first abbot of the Benedictine monastery and abbey of Fulda in 742 or 744...
- Eigil of FuldaEigil of FuldaEigil was the fourth abbot of Fulda. He was the nephew and biographer of the abbey's founder and first abbot Saint Sturm...