St Berardus of Marsica (d. 1130) ‘Model Gregorian Bishop’
John Howe
The ‘Gregorian Reform’ or Revolution’ is a model of top–down ecclesiastical change that assumes local bishops suddenly became, to some extent, agents Rome. One striking illustration this the portrayal ‘new Gregorian bishop’, based largely on Berardus Marsica (d. 1130), presented by Pierre Toubert in his classic Structures du Latium médiéval (1973), and now reprised Jacques Dalarun (2003). This article, employing an unedited collection miracles, re-examines Toubert's treatment reveals reforming saint who belongs less Rome more idiosyncratic cathedral Santa Sabina.
The Journal of Ecclesiastical History