The heirs of Alcuin : education and clerical advancement in ninth-century Carolingian Europe
Darren Elliot Barber
During the Carolingian renewal, Alcuin of York (c. 740–804) played a major role in promoting education for children who would later join clergy, and encouraging advanced learning among mature clerics. This study argues that was also instrumental forging connection between clerical advancement as developmental process, which scholarship has neglected due to its tendency separate topics ninth-century Church. Clerical framed shaped by hierarchical concepts. recognized hierarchy teachers teaching authority, ranking biblical theological expertise doctor over more basic instruction magister. At same time, Alcuin’s life magister served emphasize importance this foundation education. The term schola retained classical patristic connotations ninth century; it might refer entire Church instructed or any group students skill discipline at particular level. associated traditional stages (gradus aetatis) with educational development, these, along ranks ecclesiastical hierarchy, were structures his intellectual heirs viewed framework Educational curriculum could be based on skills learned, stages, various authors demonstrated superior composition, especially writing histories. transition from reading composition crucial point careers many young clerics, often involving prose verse vitae. Many clerics wrote these vitae near time their promotions higher orders, is understanding early pupils heirs.