The writings of Ademar of Chabannes, the Peace of 994, and the ‘Terrors of the Year 1000’
Michael Frassetto
Abstract The belief that apocalyptic expectations existed at the turn of first millennium is no longer widely held, even though some recent scholars have suggested they did. This paper seeks to confirm notion that, least in monastic milieu, Last Judgement was imminent did exist decades around year 1000. To support this argument, will examine writings monk, Ademar Chabannes. In his work history and sermons he wrote near end life, reveals own eschatological mentality. His history, it be argued, contains numerous accounts prodigies signs indicated contemporaries thought were living Days. Ademar's apocalypticism revealed more fully sermons, which organised along lines salvation history. account Peace God council 994, also appears clearly demonstrates sensibility. record council, written over 30 years after event, both form content. structure arranged tradition literature, events records are described language drawn from Revelation John book Isaiah. drew on idea refreshment saints found Jerome Bede explanation 994. writings, therefore, reveal existence millennium. 1 An earlier version presented Joint Conference Southeastern Texas Medieval Associations, 3–6 October 1996. I would like thank Daniel F. Callahan Claire Taylor for their helpful comments an draft paper. Keywords: AdemarAntichristApocalypticismPeace GodTerrors Year 1000Sermons Notes 2 Jules Michelet, Le moyen âge (Paris, 1981), 229–30. quotation p. 229. 3 Among those who criticized ‘terrors’ Ferdinand Lot, ‘Le mythe des terreurs de l'an mille’, Mercure France, 300 (1947), 639–55; Dom François Plaine, ‘Les prétendues Revue questions historiques, 13 (1873), 145–64; Edmond Pognon, L'an mille 1947); Roy, mille: formation la légende 1885); A. Vasiliev, ‘Medieval ideas world: east west’, Byzantion, 16 (1942–1943), 484. 4 Marjorie Reeves, ‘The development thought: medieval attitudes’, in: apocalypse English renaissance ed. C. Patrides Joseph Wittreich (Ithaca, NY, 1984), 45. 5 Milo, ‘L'an mil: un problème d'historiographie moderne’, History Theory, 27 (1988), 261–2 264–9. 6 mil’, 262–4. Milo's arguments recently been endorsed by Dominque Barthélemy, ‘La paix Dieu dans son contexte (989–1041)’, Cahiers civilisation médiévale 40 (1997), 5–6. See much broader critique fears Dominique La mutation mil, a-t-elle eu lieu? Servage et chevalerie France Xe Xie siècles 1997), 300–61. 7 Richard Kenneth Emmerson, Antichrist middle ages: a study apocalypticism, art literature (Seattle, 53–4, argues against general wave terror 1000 because ‘not all Christians tenth century used ‘anno domini’ dating system’ but does note feel ‘eschatological crisis’. Bernard McGinn, ‘Apocalypticism historiographical sketch’, studies 37 (1975), 254, Michael J. St. Clair, Millenarian movements historical context (New York, 1992), 95. 8 Edwin Duncan, ‘Fears apocalypse: Anglo-Saxons coming millenium’, read SEMA-TEMA Conference, Oct. 1996; Malcolm Godden, ‘Apocalypse invasion late Anglo-Saxon England’, From early Middle English: E. G. Stanley, Douglas Gray Terry Hoad (Oxford, 1994), 130–62; Milton McC. Gatch, Preaching theology England: Ælfric Wulfstan (Toronto, 1977), especially part three, offer assessments Wulfstan's expectations. 9 Landes throughout ages 1000, orthodox clerics, trained Augustine, consciously strove repudiate rhetorical strategies these writers designed play down any sense apocalypse. ‘Lest fulfilled: pattern Western chronography, 100–800 C.E.’, use abuse eschatology ages, W. Verbeke, Verhelst Welkenhuysen (Louvain, 1988), 141–211; ‘Sur les traces du millennium: ‘via negativa’,’ âge, 99 (1993), 5–26; fear 1000: Augustinian modern’, Speculum 75 (2000), 97–145; Relics, apocalypse, deceits history: Chabannes, 989–1034 (Cambridge, MA, 1995), 285–327. For view, see Dieu’, 25–35. 10 Further discussion life may Landes, deceits; Robert Lee Wolff, ‘How news brought Byzantium Angoulême; or, pursuit hare oxcart’, Byzantine modern Greek (1979), 387–402. 11 manuscripts, Leopold Delisle, ‘Notice sur manuscrits originaux d'Adémar Chabannes’, Notices extraits Bibliothèque Nationale, 35 (1896), 241–355; Danielle Gaborit-Chopin, dessins Bulletin comité travaux historiques scientifiques, n.s. (1967), 163–225; making historian: Chabannes Aquitaine millennium’ (Ph.D. diss., Princeton University, 102–93 251–81. 12 On activities as forger Callahan, problem ‘filioque’ letter pilgrim monks Mount Olives Pope Leo III Charlemagne: another forgery Chabannes?’ bénédictine, 102 (1992), 89–134; ‘Ademar insertions into Bede's Expositio actuum apostolorum’, Analecta Bollandiana, 111 385–400; Frassetto, forgery: cult Martial Limoges’, Comitatus, 26 (1995), 11–26; Herbert Schneider, von und Pseudoisidor-der ‘Mythomane’ der Erzfälscher’, Gefälschte Rechtstekte bestrafte Fälscher, vol. Fälschungen im Mittelalter, MGH Schriften 33 (Hanover, 129–50; following articles Louis Saltet littérature ecclésiastique, ‘Une entre Lombard Limousin en 1029’, (1925), 161–86, 278–302; prétendu lettre Jean XIX fabriquée par Adémar (1926), 117–39; faux Chabannes: discussions Saint au concile Bourges 1er novembre 1031’, 145–60, ‘Un cas mythomanie bien documenté: (988–1034)’, 32 (1931), 149–65. nature pilgrimage Jerusalem attitude toward it, 295–7 320–7. importance Christians, Adriaan Bredero, ‘Jerusalem West’, Christendom Christianity trans. Reinder Bruinsma (Grand Rapids, MI, 79–104. departure Limoges, 1000’, 138, 76, citing manuscript marginalia describes eclipse 19 June 1033. 14 Augustine's influence Paula Fredriksen, ‘Tyconius Augustine apocalypse’, K. Emmerson McGinn 20–37. 15 131–54, 145–51. ‘Against misunderstanding mentality’, Christianity, 67. 91–7, 144–53 and, especially, fulfilled’, 141–211, Henri Focillon, mil 1952), 64 makes similar about Thietmar Merseburg. 17 Johannes Fried, ‘Endzeiterwartung um die Jahrtausendwende’, Deutsches Archiv für Erforschung Mittelalters, 45 (1989), 381–473, discusses offers powerful defence understood imminence last days. 18 Chronique Chavanon (Collection textes pour servir à l'étude l'enseignement l'histoire, Paris, 1897), 3.46, 168. ‘His temporibus signa astris, siccitates noxiae, nimiae pluviae, pestes, gravissimae fames, defectiones multae solis lunae appuerunt, Vinzenna fluvius per tres noctes aruit Lemovicae duo milia’. Chronique, 3.47, pp. 169–70. 20 3.49 59, 173 184–5. connection heresy Manichaeans ‘the Terrors 1000’ origins popular Studies Renaissance History, 163–223. figure ages. heresy, ‘Reaction reform: reception Arras eleventh century’, Catholic Historical Review, 83 Heribert: new sources concerning heresy’, 109 (1999), 324–40; R. I. Moore, European dissent, rev. ed 1985), 1–45. 21 Jean-Pierre Poly, commencement fin. crise chez ses contemporains’, Georges Duby. L'écriture Claudie Duhamel-Amado Guy Lobrichon (Brussels, 1996), 200–1. 22 3.37, 153–4. ‘Problem ‘filioque’,’ 111–6; 147–51, Stephen Nichols, Romanesque signs: narrative iconography Haven London, 1983), 66–94. Sens 1008–1010 le fin’, 204–8. 23 3.56, 179–80. 24 168–9. ‘Et supradictus monachus Ademarus . experrectus tempest noctis, dum foris astra suspiceret, vidit austrum altitudine celi magnum crucifixum ipse celo Domini pendentem figuram cruce, multo flumine lacrimarum inlacrimantem. Ipse autem qui haec vidit, attonitus, nichil aliud potuit agere quam lacrimas ab oculis profundere. Vidit vero tam ipsam crucem crucifixi colore igneo nimis sanguineo totam dimidiam noctis horam, quousque sese clauderet’. 25 169. quod semper corde celavit, hic scripsit, testisque est Dominus vidit’. different 299–308 notes ambivalence sign anti-apocalyptic image. significance weeping crucifixes, 299–308, 305, where Christ ‘cosmic Redeemer who, moment high tension, prophetically weeps destruction’. 28 That made between vision passage Luke confirmed Histories contemporary, Raoul Glaber. As signs, 17–30, notes, Glaber uses interpret meaning crucifix monastery Saint-Peter-of-the-Virgins Orléans 998. 29 D.S. Ms. Lat. Phillipps 1664, fol. 72v. ‘Nam quando iudicabit mundum apparebit signum crucis caelo testimonio victoriae Christi gloriae sanctae ecclesiae suae’. world beginning Christendom’, Apocalypse theory ends world, Marcus Bull 73. 31 Council 101 (1991), 37–48. 86 (1976), 251–95. ‘When heaven came earth: family Limoges ‘Terrors 1000’,’ Portraits living: essays memory David Herlihy, Samuel Cohn Jr. Steven Epstein (Ann Arbor, 245–58 321–2 identified manuscript—Princeton, Garret 15, 57—which what most likely thing wrote. And, ‘fervent prayer’. 14. copy commentary can fols. 17v–37r Jerome's 40r–57r 1664. 34 90v. Phillipps, 114v. ‘. haereticis modo latenter inter nos surgunt negant baptismum, missam, crucem, ecclesiam praecursores Antichristi sunt’. 36 71r, 72v, 74v, 75r, 75v, 96v, 100r 117r. 118–22. A complete citations manuscripts 122–5. 38 Council’, 42–4 46–9. 39 Karl Morrison, exercise thoughtful minds: German writings’, 356–60, 1–65. 29–37, ‘Between aristocracy heresy: participation God, 994–1033’, God: social violence religious response Thomas Head 186–90. 41 character movement has noted bishops' turning point society?’ 112–5; centuries’, 170–2, 187–90 199–205. 42 fuller consideration movement, collected volume God; Barthèlemy, Dieu: chrétienne féodale, 980–1060 1999), ‘Violence, knightly piety Aquitaine’, final argument: imprint society Europe, Donald Kagay L. Andrew Villalon (London, 13–26. further Roger Bonnaud-Delamare, institutions XIe siècle’, Recueils société Bodin l'histoire comparative institutions, (1961), 426–37; generation Head, (970–1005)’, Speculum, 74, 656–86. 43 institutions’, 430–1, episode 994 not authentic peace rather meeting seek spiritual aid epidemic afflicting region. It Ademar, Bonnaud-Delamare suggests, transformed actual council. ‘Development God’, 675–6, incidental outbreak fire-sickness planned five Charroux. 191–4, 28–37. 44 Although influenced councils closer day, supported other contemporary thus deemed fair summary events. 186–90, 186, n. 11, account. relatively accurate events, uncertain how closely understanding surrounding reflected attitudes involved time. 29–31, terms. are, many ways, persuasive, clustering approach Incarnation Passion supports reading councils. agreement with follows intended state mind representative attitudes, c. 1030. material best interpretation evidence growing sentiments Passion. 46 ergot fungus infest rye wheat psychotic effects lead variety hallucinatory experiences including burning or prickly sensations limbs ecstatic visions. plagues ergotism, M. Massey Massey, ‘Ergot, ‘jerks’, revivals’, Clinical Neuropharmacology, (1984), 99–105, Mary Matossian, ‘Religious revivals ergotism America’, Clio Medica, (1982), 185–92. 47 3.35, 158. ‘Corpora enim virorum mulierum supra numerum invisibile igne depascebantur, ubique planctus terram replebat’. 48 ‘Gosfridus ergo, abbas Sancti Marcialis, successerat Wigoni, Alduinus episcopus, habito consilio cum duce Willelmo, triduannum jejinium Lemovicino indicunt. Tunc omnes Aquitaniae episcopi unum congregati sunt, corpora quoque reliquiae sanctorum undecumque sollempniter advectae sunt ibi, corpus sancti patroni Galliae, sepulchro levatum est, unde letitia immensa repleti omnis infirmitas cessavit pactumque pacis justicia principibus visissim foederata est’. 49 ‘Introduction: John's 7–8. 50 brief excerpt published ‘Manuscrits d'Adémar’, 290. 51 B.N. 2469, 87v. ‘Verum ad illam beatam pariter translationem septem quasi angeli ecclesiarum ut ipso sacrato septenario nobis doctoris translatio celebrior 42–3. 52 53 ignis ore tuo exit devorat inimicos tuos’. 54 86v, Isaiah 66:19: ‘‘Mittam’, inquit, ‘ego ex eis salvati fuerint gentes non viderunt neque audierunt me, cognoscant gloriam meam’.’ Compare Ezekiel people Sens. 203–7, expected arrival day through Ezekiel. 55 Norman Cohn, millennium, 1970), 64–5. 56 Rodolphus Glaber, Historiarum Libri Quinque, 1989), 4:6.18–21, 198–205. earth’, 255–6; 79–104, 95–9. 57 87r. promiscuus vulgus tocius Lemovicensis provintiae’. 58 59 87r, 88v 89r. 60 88v. 61 87v–88r, 88r–88v. 62 20–1. 63 Antichrist, 152–5, 154. B.N., propter populi peccata iratus aeternum voluit reservare vindictam sed temporaliter decrevit punire’. 65 consumptionem correctionem .’. 66 67 68 69 ira divina misericordiam conversa, populo plaga, pax ecclesiis reformata 70 ‘Omnes urbe erant languentes repente sanifacti cessante dolore gemitu requies silentium omnibus factum 71 its Lerner, return Thousand-Year Sabbath’, 53–5, Ann Matter, exegesis’, 47–9. 72 saints: time antichrist station earthly progress thought’, Traditio, 101. 73 commentaries sources, saints’, 97–144, 101–6. 74 shaped commentary. several places ms 47r 53v–56v, Antichristo De Antichristo. D.S., 47r. 76 110–20 twelfth-century commentators period silence. 77 association reform ‘Adémar Paix Annales Midi, 89 (1977), 21–43, ‘Heresy, celibacy, purity piety: clerical celibacy reform, Frassetto 1998), 131–48.
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