the patristic quotations in defence of the Filioque clause. In 811 he was witness to the emperor’s
will. Louis the Pious, Charlemagne’s son and successor, for a time showed him equal honor and
confidence, for instance in appointing him to meet Pope Stephen V. when he came to the coronation
at Rheims (816). But two years afterwards he was suspected, it would seem without good reason,
of complicity in king Bernard’s rebellion, and on Easter 818 was deposed and imprisoned at Angers,
in the convent either of St. Aubin or of St. Serge. He stoutly persisted in his declaration of innocence,
and in 821 he was released and reinstated, but died^1146 on his way back or shortly after his arrival
in Orleans, and was buried in Orleans Sept. 19, 821.
Theodulph was an excellent prelate; faithful, discreet and wise. He greatly deplored the
ignorance of his clergy and earnestly labored to elevate them. To this end he established many
schools, and also wrote the Capitula ad presbyteros parochicae suae mentioned below. In this work
he was particularly successful. The episcopal school of Orleans was famous for the number, beauty
and accuracy of the MSS. it produced. In his educational work he enjoyed the assistance of the
accomplished poet Wulfin. Theodulph was himself a scholar, well read both in secular and religious
literature.^1147 He had also a taste for architecture, and restored many convents and churches and
built the splendid basilica at Germigny, which was modelled after that at Aix la Chapelle. His love
for the Bible comes out not only in the revision of the Vulgate he had made, and practically in his
exhortation to his clergy to expound it, but also in those costly copies of the Bible which are such
masterpieces of calligraphy.^1148 He was moreover the first poet of his day, which however is not
equivalent to saying that he had much genius. His productions, especially his didactic poems, are
highly praised and prized for their pictures of the times, rather than for their poetical power. From
one of his minor poems the interesting fact comes out that he had been married and had a daughter
called Gisla, who was the wife of a certain Suavaric.^1149
The extant prose works of Theodulph are: 1. Directions to the priests of his diocese,^1150
written in 797. They are forty-six in number and relate to the general and special duties of priests.
The following are some of the more instructive directions: Women must not approach the altar
during the celebration of mass (c. 6). Nothing may be kept in the churches except holy things (c.
8). No one save priests and unusually holy laity may be buried in churches (c. 9). No woman is
allowed to live in the house with a priest (c. 12). Priests must not get drunk or frequent taverns (c.
13). Priests may send their relatives to monastic schools (c. 19). They may keep schools themselves
in which free instruction is given (c. 20). They must teach everybody the Lord’s Prayer and the
Apostles’ Creed (c. 22). No work must be done on the Lord’s Day (c. 24). Priests are exhorted to
prepare themselves to preach (c. 28). Daily, honest confession of sins to God ensures pardon; but
confession to a priest is also enjoined in order that through his counsels and prayers the stain of sin
may be removed (c. 30). True charity consists in the union of good deeds and a virtuous life (c.
34). Merchants should not sell their souls for filthy lucre (c. 35). Regulations respecting fasting (c.
(^1146) It is said he was poisoned by order of the person who had received his see.
(^1147) Cf. Carmina, IV. i. (Migne, l.c. col. 331), in which he names his favorite authors. Alcuin proposed him to Charlemagne
as competent to refute Felix the Adoptionist. Cf. Alcuin, Epistolae, LXXXIV. (Migne, Patrol. Lat. C. col. 276).
(^1148) Léopold Delisle,Les bibles de Théodulfe, Paris, 1879. Cf. Herzog 2 VIII. 449.
(^1149) Carmina, III.4 (Migne, CV. col. 326). Her husband’s name is given thus: "Suaveque, Gisla, tuo feliciter utere rico,"
- The occasion of the poem was Theodulph’s presentation to her of a beautifully illuminated psalter.
(^1150) Capitula ad presbyteros parochiae suae, Migne, CV. col. 191-208.