Saint Anselm served as Archbishop of Canterbury and argued with two English kings over the rights of the Church versus the rights of the throne. While leading an Abbey, and then later in exile, he continued the tasks for which he is most well-known. He was one of the only great writers between the time of Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas Aquinas. He relied on reason- not just revelation- in his attempts to prove God's existence. He is remember most for his writings and faith.
Birth and Family Circumstances of Anselm
Anselm was born to Gundulf and Ermenburga in 1033. His family was a noble family who had settled in Aosta, Italy, the site of Anselm's birth. His mother is reputed to have been extremely pious and to have had a great affect on Anselm's early faith. His father Gundulf, however, was noted as being cruel and and harsh towards his son. Anselm's great piety was rewarded when he had a vision at a very young age. He envisioned going up into the mountains to find Heaven. Once he reached the court of the Lord, he was fed "on the bread of the Lord."
Religious Calling and Early Life of Anselm
When Anselm had reached the age of 15, he attempted to enter a monastery. The abbot refused him out of fear of Gundulf. According to legend, Anselm prayed for sickness to overtake him, thinking that the abbot would then accept him. Anselm did become sick, but the abbot still refused. Overcome with disappointment, Anselm spent years in the common pleasures of the noble youth of the time. The death of his pious mother increased his unhappiness as his father showed even further hatred towards his son. In desperation, Anselm crossed the Alps in 1056, and entered France. He spent three years in France and Burgundy, and then traveled to the Bec Abbey. Anselm joined the abbey and joined the Benedictine order in 1060.
Saint Anselm's Writings and Disputes with English Kings
In 1063, the Abbot Lanfranc was named abbot of St. Stephen's Abbey at Caen. With the Abbot's change in location, Anselm was named prior of Bec Abbey. He served as prior for 15 years. It was during this time that many of his earlier writings were written. His major treatises were the Monologium and the Proslogium. The latter became more well-known and is Saint Anselm's attempt to prove the existence of God. In 1078, the abbot of Bec died, and Anselm was given the title despite his protests. After his appointment, Anselm traveled to England to examine property owned by Bec there and to meet with his old teacher, Abbot Lanfranc, who was now the archbishop of Canterbury.
His old mentor Abbot Lanfranc died in 1089. King William Rugus, however, did not appoint a new archbishop of Canterbury and simply collected all of the tithes, rents, and revenues for the next four years. In 1093, the king became ill and made repentance on his sick-bed. Upon regaining his health, however, he went back to his previous behavior. Violating the separation of the Church, the king demanded 500 pounds from Anselm in return for naming his as archbishop of Canterbury. Anselm, in anger, gave the 500 pounds to the poor.
To complicate the official naming of Anselm as archbishop was the argument in Rome between Pope Urban II and the "antipope" Clement. King William took this as a chance to forbid any English clergy to visit Rome until he, William, had decided which side he stood on. Anselm was officially invested as Archbishop of Canterbury on June 10, 1095 (though he was officially consecrated on December 4, 1093). Further arguments between royal authority and Church authority led to Anselm exiling himself to Rome. While in Rome he wrote his most well-known treatise Cur Deus Homo, or Why God Became Man. In this work, he attempted to explain why God, in the form of Christ, came to Earth. Anselm also spoke at the Council of Bari, helping to explain the papal position on the Holy Spirit.
Upon King William's death in 1100, his younger brother Henry seized the throne. Archbishop Anselm returned to England, but was soon arguing with Henry over the same issues that had first caused the division- whether the Church or the throne had supreme power in English churches. Years of arguments, trip to the Pope by both parties, and attempts to influence the laypeople followed. The Church finally won in 1107, and King Henry kept to his word during the lifetime of Anselm.
Death and Sainthood of Anselm
In the two years after the final agreement in 1107, Anselm spent his time in Canterbury peacefully dealing with his duties. He continued studying and writing to the very end. He died on April 21, 1109, which is his feast day. Though he was never "officially" canonized, he was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1720 by Pope Clement XI. While he is venerated and respected in many locations and circles, he is not the patron of any particular locations, vocations, or persons.
A Lifetime of Learning and Dedication
Saint Anselm, from childhood to his death, constantly expanded his education and wrote about what he had learned. Despite the many distractions, the foremost being the years spent in long dispute between the Church and two different English kings, he remained dedicated to the Church and to God. His final title represents the main passion of his life. He is known as the Father of Scholasticism- the system of theology and philosophy popular during the Middle Ages which attempted to reconcile faith and reason.
Sources:
Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. (2001). The Encyclopedia of Saints. Visionary Living, Inc. Checkmark Books, New York, NY
Kent, W.H. (2007). Anselm of Canterbury, Saint. The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1914. Catholic Answers (2007), San Diego, CA. Link to Article.
Paul, Tessa. (2009). The Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Saints. Lorenz Books, Anness Publishing Ltd. London, UK.
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