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Scholars of note: some interesting Cistercians
who have left their mark
(8/9)
The ruddy abbot
A poem written by a friar at Oxford in the mid-fourteenth century names
the abbot of Louth Park as one of three monks at the university who
openly vented his dislike of the mendicants. This Cistercian abbot
is compared to a leopard, and reference is made to his ruddy complexion,
a sure sign that he enjoyed an indulgent lifestyle.
[Stevenson and Salter, The Early History of St John’s College, pp.
9-10.]
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Several Cistercian scholars are noted for their infamy.
These include two polemicists, John Hooper and Henry Crump. Hooper,
who was one of the most active monk polemicists at this time, was
condemned to death at Gloucester in 1555.(33) Crump,
a Cistercian of the Irish abbey of
Baltinglass, in Co. Wicklow
Ireland, was a forceful character who officiated for a time as
regent of students living at University Hall. His open attack
on Wyclif and his supporters, whom he denounced as ‘Lollards’ – and
was, in fact, the first to describe them as such - led to his suspension
from the university. Upon his return to Ireland, c. 1385, Crump’s
attack on the friars contributed to his condemnation for heresy.
He returned briefly to Oxford, where he was once again suspended
but then restored.(34)
Another Irish Cistercian who was renowned for his notoriety
was Richard Archebold, who sought to attain the unattainable, to
convert metal amalgam
into gold. His dabbling in alchemy saddled the Order with considerable
debt. Richard’s ability to convince the abbot of Woburn to
finance his schemes shows his considerable powers of persuasion,
but his ability to attain gold
was less successful and his endeavours cost, rather than made,
money. In fact, in 1470 of £67 3s 4d contributed by the abbots in
England and Wales for the maintenance of St Bernard’s, £25 was
required for Richard’s expenses; on top of that he received some £13
from individual abbots. Not surprisingly his fellow scholars hoped
Richard would make a speedy retreat to his homeland.(35) <back> <next>
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