1033–1109 · Archbishop of Canterbury and theologian
Anselm of Canterbury
Theologian and archbishop of Canterbury, a pioneer of scholastic thought; at the Council of Bari in 1098 he defended the Latin Church's filioque doctrine against the Greek clergy.
BIOGRAPHICAL DOSSIER
Life and historical role
Life and political setting
Born in Aosta, Anselm became abbot of the monastery of Bec in Normandy and in 1093 was elected archbishop of Canterbury. After quarrelling with King William II of England over the rights of the church, he went to Rome in 1097 and spent his exile with Pope Urban II.
Role in the Crusades
At the council held in Bari in October 1098, in a debate with the Greek clergy of southern Italy, he defended the view that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son (filioque). The council was one of the meetings dealing with relations between the Latin and Greek churches while the First Crusade was under way.
Historical significance and source problems
Anselm's works such as Cur Deus Homo and the Proslogion deeply influenced medieval theology. His role at Bari is known from the Vita Anselmi written by his pupil Eadmer; detailed records of the council do not survive.
Biographical information is linked to the sources shown on the page and to the connected event records. Disputed dates are given as approximate, gaps are not filled by conjecture, and later literary or visual depictions are not treated as contemporary portraits.