St. Anselm - Anselm of Canterbury

OXFORD WORLDS CLASSICS

ANSELM OF CANTERBURY
THE MAJOR WORKS

ANSELM, monk and abbot of Bec in Normandy, and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109, was an author whose writings have been of profound importance to the development of theology in Western Christianity. He was born in Aosta in northern Italy in 1033. As a young man he travelled north as a wandering scholar and settled at Bec in 1059, where he studied under Lanfranc, then the Prior at Bec, and master of a famous school there. Anselm succeeded Lanfranc as master, and with his pupils explored problems of philosophy and theology, especially concerning the nature and existence of God. He began to write treatises on these subjects, as well as prayers and meditations for private rather than liturgical use.

On a visit to England in 1093 to inspect the English lands belonging to the Abbey of Bec, Anselm followed Lanfranc again, much against his wishes, and was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. It was a job which brought him into a realm of politics where he was never comfortable. Problems of Church and State caused conflict with two kings in succession, and he had to go into exile in 10971100 and again in 11037.

During his years as Archbishop Anselm was always happiest engaged in theological discussion with his monastic community at Canterbury, or in writing his series of books on the incarnation, the problem of reconciling human freedom of choice with divine foreknowledge, predestination, and grace. In Canterbury at the time of his death, he was anxious to live a little longer so that he could finish a book on the origin of the soul.

BRIAN DAVIES is Professor of Philosophy, Fordham University, New York. He is the author of The Thought of Thomas Aquinas (Oxford, 1992), and An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion (Revised Edition, Oxford, 1993), and editor of Philosophy of Religion: A Guide to the Subject (London, 1998).

GILLIAN EVANS lectures in the Faculty of History, University of Cambridge, and was British Academy Research Reader in Theology, 19868. Her books include The Reception of the Faith (London, 1997), Method in Ecumenical Theology (Cambridge, 1996), Anselm and Thinking About God (Oxford, 1978), and Anselm (London, 1989).

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OXFORD WORLDS CLASSICS

ANSELM OF CANTERBURY

Edited with an Introduction by
BRIAN DAVIES and G. R. EVANS

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Editorial matter Brian Davies and G. R. Evans 1998
Letter to Archbishop Lanfranc, Monologion Simon Harrison 1998;
Prosolgion, Pro Insipiente, and Reply to Gaunilo OUP 1965; De Grammatico and
Philosophical Fragments D. P. Henry 1998; On Truth, On Free Will, and
On the Fall of the Devil Ralph McInerny 1998; On the Incarnation of the
Word and On the Procession of the Holy Spirit Richard Regan 1998;
Why God Became Man Janet Fairweather 1998; On the Virgin Conception and
Original Sin Camilla McNab 1998; De Concordia
Thomas Bermingham 1998

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First published as an Oxford Worlds Classics paperback 1998

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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

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Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Anselm, Saint, Archbishop of Canterbury, 10331109.
[Selections. English. 1998]
The major works / Anselm of Canterbury; edited with an introduction
and notes by Brian Davies and Gillian Evans.
(Oxford worlds classics)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Philosophy, Medieval. 2. Theology, DoctrinalEarly works to 1800.
I. Davies, Brian, 1951 . II. Evans, G. R. (Gillian Rosemary). III. Title.
IV. Series Oxford worlds classics (Oxford University Press).
B765.A82E54 1998 189.4dc21 9750479
ISBN 0192825259

5 7 9 10 8 6 4

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Anselm was an Italian from Aosta. He was born in 1033, at a time when a young man of enquiring mind would find others with similar interests travelling in search of education. Anselm began to travel after his mothers death, for at that time he quarrelled irrevocably with his father. For three years he wandered in Burgundy and the region of the Loire. He also spent time at Avranches, near Mont-Saint-Michel. By 1059 he had made his way to the monastery of Bec in central Normandy. This was a relatively new foundation, only twenty-five years old, and Herluin, its founder, was still abbot there. Anselms reason for choosing it was probably that he had heard that Lanfranc (c.100589), then its Prior, was teaching there. A student wandering scholar at this time could usually attach himself to any master he chose. Anselms friend and biographer, Eadmer, tells us that Lanfrancs lofty fame had resounded everywhere and had drawn to him the best clerks from all parts of the world. Anselm therefore came to him and recognized the outstanding wisdom which shone forth in him. He placed himself under his guidance and in a short time became the most intimate of his disciples.