After several years of research, composition, and editing, Dr. Ryan Freeburn, a professor of history at OLSWA, has recently published a biographical study: Hugh of Amiens and the Twelfth Century Renaissance. The work was made available this past November by Ashgate Publishing, a major academic publishing company in England. Dr. Freeburn’s interest in Hugh of Amiens began with his longstanding interest in twelfth century monasticism. He states that while he was a graduate student, a friend of his pointed out that there was a lot to be discovered about the life of Hugh of Amiens, who became the topic of Dr. Freeburn’s doctoral thesis at the University of St. Andrew’s in Scotland. A few years later, Dr. Freeburn returned to his research and began compiling his book. 

Hugh of Amiens (A.D. c. 1085-1164) turned out to be a very influential figure and a representative of various aspects of his time, says Dr. Freeburn. He participated in many different forms of the Church life such as that of a cleric, a prior, and an abbot, until he was appointed Archbishop of Rouen in Normandy. At first, Hugh thought very highly of monastic life, holding it to be better than the life of regular cannons and better than that of priests. But when the monk became a bishop, he showed tolerance and support to other religious lifestyles. Many men at the time had difficulties leaving the monastic regime after they were appointed to a higher office.  Hugh, however, made a smooth transition from monasticism to active life.

With regard to his influence on education, Dr. Freeburn asserts that Hugh of Amiens was a scholastic who “put together the first true work of systematic theology in carefully crafted dialogue form,” which paved the way for later accomplishments by theologians like Peter Lombard and Thomas Aquinas. Hugh was very concerned about heresy and wrote a treatise against heretics. He wrote a number of other works as well, including a poem summarizing the Pentateuch, and the life of St. Adjutor, a hermit from Normandy. Hugh was also acquainted with many church figures, the best known being Bernard of Clairvaux and Peter the Venerable.

Dr. Freeburn confesses his excitement at finally having his book in print. It took nearly six years’ worth of work in total for his book to reach the press, and OLSWA is honoured to add Hugh of Amiens and the Twelfth Century Renaissance to its library. Congratulations, Dr. Freeburn.