Lanfranc: Scholar, Monk, and Archbishop (review)
Paul Antony Hayward
Reviewed by: Lanfranc: Scholar, Monk, and Archbishop Paul Antony Hayward Cowdrey, H. E. J. , Archbishop, Oxford; Oxford University Press, 2003; hardback; pp. xi, 252; RRP £50; ISBN 0199259607. This is the third modern biography of Lanfranc, prior Bec (c.1045-63), abbot St-Étienne, Caen (1063-70), archbishop Canterbury (1070-89). A. Macdonald's pioneering study, published in 1926, emphasised Lanfranc's place history his archbishopric English kingdom, largely dismissing career to 1070. His contribution defeat Berengar was no great significance out necessity he a monastic reformer, 'but loved other things more – strong administration episcopal organization'! Margaret Gibson's biography, 1978, positioned Lanfranc learning ideas. She could not deny that as prelate looked backwards Carolingian era rather than forwards post-Gregorian world, but by emphasizing earlier achievements teacher dialectician she still managed present forerunner twelfth-century Renaissance. In terms its coverage, Cowdrey's new offers most comprehensive balanced treatment date. He sets broad landscape, endeavouring give appropriate weight both Continental phases treat many different dimensions scholastic, ecclesiastical with due depth; like Macdonald, primarily interested churchman intellectual. It needs be stressed this an 'uncritical' biography. Cowdrey admits [End Page 210] often harsh towards enemies those duke king. notes, for example, 'gave less fair account Berengar's teaching' (p. 73), 'Lanfranc carried animus against Stigand beyond bounds fact acceptability' (pp. 81-82). Though follows Gibson evaluating light wider trends Latin Church, careful overstate position Christian thought. admits, 'the opposition Berengar… episodic sustained' 67). Many chapters incorporate, moreover, subtle acute analyses sources their limitations. neatly disposes, claim Pope Alexander II had been pupil Lanfranc. driven, however, powerful urge eulogise defend hero, tendency which apparent reign archbishop. essence, view phase hinges on three key points. The first programme pontificate determined, himself, legatine councils took 1070, some four months before office. essence these initiated two programmes, one royal origin, papal origin. argues judicial work merely addendum main proceedings. business inaugurate papally inspired reform. supported Conquest, argues, because genuinely perplexed morals condition heady aftermath success, legates enacted legislative intended 'to renew morality social order whole people' 85). second point over saw through essentially shared pope's Church need reform driven sense pastoral duty something from time at Bec. facets archiepiscopate derive, central aim. Again, reform, 'judicial side' (that is, deposing yet hapless English...
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