Overview

Two biographical fragments of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux's life and works are translated into English for the first time. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) was a commanding, and controversial, figure in early-twelfth-century Western European religious and political life. Even before his death, his followers expected him to be canonized--hence the various attempts to record his life, deeds, and miracles. Four of these important early witnesses--two biographical fragments, the Vita Secunda (an abbreviation of the Vita Prima), and the later Vita Quarta are here translated into English for the first time. The material they work and re-work testifies to the many evolving ways in which Bernard was perceived by his near contemporaries. They show how, and why, in Cistercian and Benedictine circles his memory was cherished in the period immediately before and after his death.

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9780879074487

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Reviews

""After a most informative introduction, Alexandra Barratt presents her excellent translation of fragments of two Vita Bernardi never translated before. They witness the enormous and widespread admiration of Bernard of Clairvaux, and are one great love-story about his person and his many miracles as works of God. Preaching humility, patience, and love as the ideals, goals, and criteria of life, Bernard was highly outstanding of his time."" Aage Rydstrøm-Poulsen, president emeritus, University of Greenland -- (10/13/2025 12:00:00 AM) ""Alexandra Barrett has again done a great service to Cistercian scholarship. In this book, she has produced a wonderful addition to the tradition of the biography of St. Bernard. As she points out in her introduction, these texts have often been judged as compendia of facts about Bernard's life and summarily dismissed. Her approach is to see them on their own merits, as their authors intended them. Her presentation of these texts, rare in English, allows the reader and scholar to approach them in a fresh light and judge them for ourselves."" Fr. Lawrence Morey, OCSO, Abbey of Gethsemani -- (10/13/2025 12:00:00 AM)

""Alexandra Barratt's presentation of the early life of Saint Bernard is graced by an excellent and informative introduction, a clear and accurate translation, and suitable notes. It provides a necessary resource for any who attempt to navigate the life of Bernard or to understand the wider context of the Vita Prima."" Michael Casey, OCSO, Tarrawarra Abbey -- (11/6/2025 12:00:00 AM) ""Alexandra Barratt has produced a welcome and important collection of sources on the life of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, including the earliest notes gathered for his biography by his direct disciples. Readers of faith and academic researchers alike will gain rich insights about his world, his family, his personal practice, and career as a spiritual teacher and healer. Professor Barratt deserves praise for bringing these sources to a wider readership and encouraging renewed appreciations of Bernard's life and impact."" Joseph Millan-Cole, PhD, University of Sydney -- (10/29/2025 12:00:00 AM) ""After a most informative introduction, Alexandra Barratt presents her excellent translation of fragments of two Vita Bernardi never translated before. They witness the enormous and widespread admiration of Bernard of Clairvaux, and are one great love-story about his person and his many miracles as works of God. Preaching humility, patience, and love as the ideals, goals, and criteria of life, Bernard was highly outstanding of his time."" Aage Rydstrøm-Poulsen, president emeritus, University of Greenland -- (10/13/2025 12:00:00 AM) ""Alexandra Barrett has again done a great service to Cistercian scholarship. In this book, she has produced a wonderful addition to the tradition of the biography of St. Bernard. As she points out in her introduction, these texts have often been judged as compendia of facts about Bernard's life and summarily dismissed. Her approach is to see them on their own merits, as their authors intended them. Her presentation of these texts, rare in English, allows the reader and scholar to approach them in a fresh light and judge them for ourselves."" Fr. Lawrence Morey, OCSO, Abbey of Gethsemani -- (10/13/2025 12:00:00 AM)

""Alexandra Barratt has produced a welcome and important collection of sources on the life of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, including the earliest notes gathered for his biography by his direct disciples. Readers of faith and academic researchers alike will gain rich insights about his world, his family, his personal practice, and career as a spiritual teacher and healer. Professor Barratt deserves praise for bringing these sources to a wider readership and encouraging renewed appreciations of Bernard's life and impact."" Joseph Millan-Cole, PhD, University of Sydney -- (10/29/2025 12:00:00 AM) ""After a most informative introduction, Alexandra Barratt presents her excellent translation of fragments of two Vita Bernardi never translated before. They witness the enormous and widespread admiration of Bernard of Clairvaux, and are one great love-story about his person and his many miracles as works of God. Preaching humility, patience, and love as the ideals, goals, and criteria of life, Bernard was highly outstanding of his time."" Aage Rydstrøm-Poulsen, president emeritus, University of Greenland -- (10/13/2025 12:00:00 AM) ""Alexandra Barrett has again done a great service to Cistercian scholarship. In this book, she has produced a wonderful addition to the tradition of the biography of St. Bernard. As she points out in her introduction, these texts have often been judged as compendia of facts about Bernard's life and summarily dismissed. Her approach is to see them on their own merits, as their authors intended them. Her presentation of these texts, rare in English, allows the reader and scholar to approach them in a fresh light and judge them for ourselves."" Fr. Lawrence Morey, OCSO, Abbey of Gethsemani -- (10/13/2025 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

Alexandra Barratt is professor emeritus at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. She studied English and medieval studies at the Universities of Cambridge and Toronto and has published extensively on religious writing by medieval women in Latin and Middle English. She has previously translated for the Cistercian Fathers series Books One through Five of Gertrud the Great of Helfta's Herald of God's Loving-Kindness (CF 035, 063, 085 and 086), and Gertrud's recently discovered Memorial of the Abundance of the Divine Sweetness (CF 088).

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