Lupus of Ferrières
Lupus of Ferrières was a significant French Benedictine scholar and humanist born around 805 in the diocese of Sens. He is best known for his extensive correspondence, comprising over 130 letters that offer valuable insights into the Carolingian period's culture and intellectual life. Educated at Ferrières and later at Fulda, he was influenced by prominent scholars of his time, including Hrabanus Maurus and Gottschalk of Orbais. Lupus wrote theological works that addressed complex questions of free will and predestination, while also composing biographical accounts, such as the life of Saint Wigbert, which reflect his familiarity with classical historians.
Throughout his life, Lupus dedicated much of his efforts to preserving classical literature and religious texts, often borrowing manuscripts due to their high value and scarcity. His letters not only include requests for books but also provide commentary on language, societal norms, and personal anecdotes. He advocated for bilingualism among the Frankish ruling class, highlighting his role in promoting education and cultural exchange. Overall, Lupus's contributions significantly shaped the intellectual landscape of his time and helped preserve important literary traditions.
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Subject Terms
Lupus of Ferrières
Writer
- Born: c. 805
- Birthplace: in the Diocese of Sens, France
- Died: c. 862
Biography
Lupus of Ferrières, a French Benedictine scholar and humanist, is noteworthy for his more than 130 letters that provide an historical picture of life in the Carolingian period of the Middle Ages. He also played an important role in preserving works of ancient classical literature. Lupus was born around 805 in the diocese of Sens to a West Frank mother, Frotildis, and a Bavarian father, Antelm. Lupus’s German name was once Wulf, and in later years he became known as Servatus Lupus. Although he was German, he spent most of his life in France, and none of the works he wrote in German exist today.
Lupus was educated at Ferrières, France, and later at Fulda, Germany. While a student in Fulda, Lupus was influenced by many famous scholars, including Hrabanus Maurus, Walahfrid Strabo, the historian Einhard, and Gottschalk of Orbais. Gottschalk, who became his friend, was condemned for his heretical position on the question of predestination.
Writing in Latin, Lupus composed two theological works, De tribus quaestionibus (c. 850), which addressed the issues of free will, predestination, and redemption, and Collectaneum de tribus quaestionibus (c. 850), which summarized Church teachings on these subjects and gave qualified support to Gottschalk’s position on predestination. The abbot at Hersfeld in Fulda asked Lupus to write a biography of Saint Wigbert, who founded the monastery there. The consequent work, Vita Wigberti abbatis Friteslariensis (c. 863), demonstrates Lupus’s familiarity with Livy and Sallust, both classical historians. He also edited a book about the life of St. Maximin of Trier, Vita Maximini episcopis Trevirensis (c. 839).
When he returned to Ferrières, he spent his time collecting, editing, and copying manuscripts of classical literature and religious texts. Since books were very expensive and usually presented as gifts only to important people, Lupus had to borrow texts to complete his work. This was a great responsibility, since there was always a danger that the books would be stolen in transit. Many of Lupus’s letters to intellectuals concerned his requests for books. His letters also contain his comments on Latin words, including different meanings and pronunciations. He identifies himself as an intellectual through the descriptions of his pursuits that appear in these letters. The letters also provide anecdotal information and opinions on a variety of topics, including wine, fish, and royalty. In a letter to Abbot Markward, who resided at the Prum monastery, Lupus indicates that members of the Frankish ruling class should be bilingual, so he was sending three men to the Prum monastery to learn German.