Theodulph

Theodulph termed Aurelianensis, probably a Goth, was one of the men whom Charlemagne invited to France for the advancement of learning. He was in Gaul as early as 781, and in his classical tendency resembled Alcuin, whose commendation he received. He was, in fact, one of the foremost representatives of the peculiar renaissance poetry called into being by Charlemagne's forcible promotion of culture. His poems are not without value to an understanding of the social condition is of his time. As a theological writer he is less important, his works being limited to tracts — De Odine Baptismi, De Spiritu Sanctmo-fragments of sermons, and Capitula addressed to the presbyters of his parish. The Capitula reveal his care for his clergy, and especially his concern for the establishing, by the clergy, of popular schools throughout the diocese. Charlemagne gave him- the abbey of. Eleury and the bishopric of Orleans, and employed him in affairs of state. In 794 Theodulph was present at the Council of Frankfort. After the death of Charlemagne, he appears to have at first connected himself with the party of Louis the Pious, but afterwards to have desired a more powerful ruler. The complaint laid against him at Aix-la'-Chapelle accused him of conspiring with Bernard of Italy, and he was imprisoned in the monastery of Angers. He was pardoned by Louis, but was soon afterwards snatched away by death, in 821.

Literature. —Hist. Lit. de la France, 4,: 459; Tiraboschi, Soria della Lett. Ital. III, 2, 196; Bahr, Gesch. d. rom. Lit. in Carol. Zeitalter (Carlsruhe, 1840), § 34, 35, 139; Guizot, Cours d'Histoire Moderne, 2, 334, Brussels ed, 2, 334; id. Hist. de la Civilisation en France, 2, 197204. Theodulph's poems were collected by Sirmond (Paris, 1646, 8vo). Also in Bibl. Patr. Max. (Lugd. 1677), 14:28; and in Migne, Patrol. 105. See Herzog, Real- Encyklop. s.v.