Medieval History 101: The Unauthorized Version

What if I told you that without the Rule of St. Benedict for monks there would be no Western civilization? Hint : It isn’t because monks were not supposed to laugh. Video with subscription at Unauthorized.tv  (History and Logos Channel) References  Texts  Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose , trans. William Weaver (1983); film adaptation , dir. Jean-Jacques Annaud (1986) Benedict of Nursia, Rule , ed. in Latin and English by one of the Benedictine Fathers of St. Michael’s (London, 1875)  Gregory the Great, Dialogues , bk. II on Benedict People John Cassian (ca. 360-435) Benedict of Nursia (ca. 480-March 21 543/547) Rupert of Deutz (ca. 1075-ca. 1129) Benedict gives his rule to Maurus Monastery of St. Gilles, Nimes, 1129 Jocelyn of Brakelond (fl. late twelfth-early thirteenth century) Types of books for the liturgy Psalters Antiphoners (chant for Divine Office) Graduals (chant for Mass) Lectionaries (readings for Divin...

You have heard Vox Day talk about how “nation” means a people related by blood, history, language, and religion. But what if a people related by blood, history, and language change their religion? What would induce you to change your ancestral worship for a God you had never heard of until some strangers arrived? Video with subscription at Unauthorized.tv  (History and Logos Channel) References Text Bede ,  Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum  ( Ecclesiastical History of the English People ),  trans. by A. M. Sellar  (London: George Bell and Sons, 1907); trans. by Bertram Colgrave,  ed. by Judith McClure and Roger Collins  (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1969, 1994) Book I, chapter 25: How Augustine came to Britain and first of all preached to the king of Kent on the island of Thanet; then, after obtaining permission, he went to Kent to preach. Book I, chapter 26: How in Kent he followed both the manner of life and the teaching of ...

Are you worried about being called “racist” for agreeing with President Trump’s recent tweets inviting those who hate our country or who are not happy here to leave? Would you prefer that American schools taught a more traditionally English-centered narrative of our nation’s history? Let me tell you a little bit about the Venerable Bede, author of the first history of the English nation. Video with subscription at Unauthorized.tv  (History and Logos Channel) References Texts Bede, Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum  ( Ecclesiastical History of the English People ),  trans. by A. M. Sellar (London: George Bell and Sons, 1907); trans. by Bertram Colgrave, ed. by Judith McClure and Roger Collins (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1969, 1994) Gildas, De excidio et conquestu Britanniae  ( On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain ),  trans. by J.A. Giles and T. Habington (1842) Geoffry of Monmouth, Historia regum Britanniae  ( History of t...

Are you still impressed with the way in which a certain Canadian professor of psychology unlocks the psychological significance of the Biblical stories? Just wait ‘til you learn about Gregory the Great’s Moralia in Job ! Video with subscription at Unauthorized.tv  (History and Logos Channel) References  Text Gregory the Great, Moralia in Job , trans. John Henry Parker , 3 vols. (London: J.G.F. and J. Rivington, 1844) Epistle to Bishop Leander, wherein Gregory explains his method of exposition  First Volume, Second Part,  Book VIII, chap. vi.8-11 : “The life of man upon earth is a warfare” (Job 7:1). Note: I was right. Gregory distinguishes between “militia” (warfare) and “tentatio” (trial). Good to know my Latin is up to snuff! People Job (Book of) Philo of Alexandria (ca. 25 B.C.-ca. A.D. 50) John Cassian (ca. A.D. 360-435) Gregory the Great (ca. A.D. 540-604, pope 590-604) Bede (A.D. 672/673-735) How to remember the four senses of ...