A Monk's Confession by Paul Archambault )

A Monk's Confession by Paul Archambault )

A translation of Guibert of Nogent's memoirs. Written around the year 1115 this book of "solitary songs" offers a look at the life of a monk in the Middle Ages. They portray an intense preoccupation with the sinfulness of the soul, and visions of demons and necromancy.

“Paul JArchambault pays generous tribute to the work of his forerunners, but argues convincingly that there is room for a new translation and introduction. [The book] is aimed at students and cultivated readers who are not familiar with French, and seeks to provide a lively and readable translation. In this it has succeeded. . . . Guibert’s book is important, not just for the insight into monastic life given by a learned man who was also an accomplished stylist. The section based on his own experience as abbot of Nogent, in touch with ecclesiastical and secular leaders, is one of the most important sources for the history of the revolt of the ‘commune’ of Laon and the murder of the bishop in 1112.”

—English Historical Review

“Guibert’s memoirs offer a lively picture of a local slice of medieval French society and the ecclesial world of the Middle Ages. . . . [I]t immerses its readers in the everyday world and faith of people who lived far away from the intellectual and cultural centers of medieval times. Paul Archambault provides a very accessible modern English translation and carefully annotated edition of Guibert’s Monodiae. The book will be a welcome addition to both undergraduate and graduate level courses on the Middle Ages and will serve as a fine contextualization of more theological medieval texts, such as Anselm of Canterbury’s Cur Deus Homo? It will be equally illuminating to lay and clergy who wish to explore the Middle Ages or spiritual autobiographies.”

—Steffen Losel Anglican Theological Review

“Guibert of Nogent is a major writer who is a favorite of medieval historians. He furnishes a good deal of autobiographical information, somewhat of a rarity for the period, and he gives many details about the commune in France at the beginning of the twelfth century. Paul Archambault has given us an accurate and polished translation, and his introduction places Guibert in the Augustinian tradition where he rightly belongs. An outstanding contribution.”

—Gerard J. Brault,Penn State University

Paul J. Archambault is Professor of French at Syracuse University. His most recent book, with Marianna Mustaechi, is A Renaissance Woman: Helisenne's Personal and Invective Letters (1985).

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780271014821
ISBN 10	0271014822
Title	A Monk's Confession
Author	Paul Archambault
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Pennsylvania State University Press
Year published	1995-09-15
Number of pages	270
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.