William of Malmesbury's Life and Works
Dom Hugh Farmer
The movement which we call the twelfth century Renaissance included a revival of Latin classics and Roman Law, rediscovery much Greek Arabic science philosophy, development Romanesque architecture into Gothic, writing history greater quantity improved quality. John Salisbury, archbishop Theobald's curial clerk, who died in 1180 as bishop Chartres, is generally regarded England's most finished product this movement, but generation before him William, monk Malmesbury, already displayed many its characteristics. A polymath whose interests hagiography, law classics, archeology architecture, he had however none John's cosmopolitanism or contact with great men his day, little acquaintance philosophy contributed nothing to theology. all life, was representative scholarly Benedìctine researcher (he almost halfway time between St. Bede Mabillon), also outstanding because genius wide range were shared by few.
The Journal of Ecclesiastical History