The Maccabees as Exemplars in the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries
Jean Dunbabin
When the court chaplain Wipo produced his Gesta Chuonradi in 1046 as an instruction kingship for young Henry III, he prefaced it with indictment of contemporary writers’ laziness failing to chronicle deeds their great men, although convenient models had been provided by pagan authors and Old Testament historians. The latter, describing David’s single combats, Solomon’s counsel, Gideon’s magnanimity, battles Maccabees, created a remarkable series biographies illustrative different ways which man could serve common weal. Their achievement deserved imitation. main drift Wipo’s argument is unfortunately too broad theme discussion here. What concerns us simply that him Maccabees were archetypes heroic warriors, expected audience be familiar exploits was himself.
Studies in church history. Subsidia