bernard of clairvaux and the two swords

146 Pages·2011·4.6 MB·English

by  Timothy Basile

BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX AND THE TWO SWORDS

TEMPLARS, CRUSADES, AND CONSIDERATION:
A STUDY ON BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX'S ALLEGORY OF THE TWO
SWORDS
By
TIMOTHY BASILE, B.A.
A Thesis
Submitted to the Department of Religious Studies, McMaster University
In Partial Fulfilment
For the Degree
Master of Arts
McMaster University
© Copyright Timothy Basile, September 2009

MASTER OF ARTS (2009) McMaster University
(Religious Studies) Hamilton, Ontario
-,
"
TITLE: Templars, Crusades, and Consideration: A Study on Bernard of
Clairvaux's AlIegory of the Two Swords
AUTHOR: Timothy Basile, B.A. (Tyndale University)
SUPERVISOR: Dr. Peter Widdicombe
~LJMBER OF PAGES: iv, 135
ii

Abstract
While most analyses of Bem ard 's allegory ofthe two swords frame the
discussion from the perspective of Bem ard 's overall political theology, this
approach often ignores the allegory's connection to the Knights Templar. This
thesis examines Bemard ofClairvaux's allegory of the Two Swords from a
literary and historical perspective. By examining each of Bernard's uses of the
allegory separately and in their own contexts, this thesis aims to identify the
various ways in which Bemard used the allegory. As well, this work seeks to
understand what the allegory can and cannot tell us about Bernard's overall
political theology. This thesis argues that Bernard employed the allegory in order
to describe the authority by which the pope may protect the Church when it is
threatened, but that the allegory's effectiveness for determining Bernard's
political theology outside the context of the Church's defence remains limited.
111

Table of Contents
Abstract iii
Table of Contents IV
Introduction: Questions of Bem ard 's Intention
Chapter 1: The Two Swords within the Context ofIn Praise of the 23
New Knighthood
Chapter 2: The Two Swords in the Context ofthe Second Crusade 51
Chapter 3: The Two Swords within the Context of On Consideration. 81
Conclusion: In Case of Emergency 113
Bibliography 131
iv