Renaissance Monks: Monastic Humanism in Six Biographical Sketches

Franz Posset, German-American independent scholar, Ph.D. (1984) in Historical Theology, Marquette University. His most recent publications include Pater Bernhardus: Martin Luther and Bernard of Clairvaux (1999) and The Front-Runner of the Catholic Reformation: The Life and Works of Johann von Staupitz (2003).

• List of IllustrationsForeword, Gerhard B. Winkler, O. Cist.PrefaceAcknowledgementsAbbreviationsIntroduction1. An Editor of Latin Bibles and Works of the Church Fathers: Conradus Leontorius, Monk of Maulbronn2. A Graecian, Christian Poet, and Playwright: Benedictus Chelidonius, Monk of Nuremberg, Abbot of the Schottenstift, Vienna3. A Historiographer and Distinguished Verse Maker: Bolfgangus Marius, Monk of Aldersbach, Bavaria4. A Latinist, Supporter of Reuchlin, and Editor of Christ-centered Poetry: Henricus Urbanus, Monk of Georgenthal, Thuringia5. Jack-of-all-Trades: Vitus Bild Acropolitanus, Monk of Saints Ulrich and Afra in Augsburg6. When Monks Were Eager to Study the Sacred Languages: Nikolaus Ellenbog, Monk of Ottobeuren, SwabiaConclusionSelect BibliographyIndex of Personal NamesIndex of PlacesIndex of Subjects

One may say that we do not get to know very much about the everyday life of the learned monks. But we do get to know that they had everyday problems like any other human beings, and that they sometimes solved these problems in a way that gave priority above almost all to their learned studies. These sketches also make it clear that the monks were quite different - in theology, spirituality, learned interests, and way of life, and cannot be brought together as a homogeneous collective. Their most common feature was perhaps their individuality. Anders Jarlert, Church History and Religious Culture