Selected Works of Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis

310 Pages·2017·1.84 MB·English

by  Suger (Author)

SELECTED WORKS
OF ABBOT SUGER OF
SAINT-DENIS

SELECTED WORKS
OF ABBOT SUGER OF
SAINT-DENIS
&
Translated with introduction
and notes by
Richard Cusimano and
Eric Whitmore
The Catholic University of America Press
Washington, D.C.
Copyright © 2018
The Catholic University of America Press
All rights reserved
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum
requirements of American National Standards for Information
Science—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials,
ANSI Z39.48–1984.
∞
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Suger, Abbot of Saint Denis, 1081–1151, author. |
Cusimano, Richard, 1939– translator.
Title: Selected works of Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis /
translated with introduction and notes by Richard Cusimano
and Eric Whitmore.
Description: Washington, D.C. : Catholic University of America
Press, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017033723 | ISBN 9780813229973
(cloth : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Suger, Abbot of Saint Denis, 1081–1151. |
Abbaye de Saint-Denis (Saint-Denis, France) | France—Church
history—987–1515. | France—History—Louis VI, 1108–1137. |
France—History—Louis VII, 1137–1180.
Classification: LCC BX4705.S8737 A25 2018 |
DDC 282.092—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017033723
Contents
Contents
&
List of Illustrations vii
Preface ix
List of Abbreviations xiii
Introduction: Suger’s Contributions 1
SELECTED WORKS OF ABBOT SUGER
OF SAINT-DENIS
1. The Book on the Consecration of the Church 33
of Saint-Denis
2. The Book of Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis: 66
His Accomplishments during His
Administration
3. T he Illustrious King Louis [VII], Son of 127
Louis [VI]
4. The Life of Suger 184
The Circular Letter of the Monastery of Saint-Denis
Concerning the Death of Abbot Suger 207
APPENDIXES
A. Legends and Myths of Saint Denis in the 217
Early Literary and Historical Records
B. The Early Royal Banners of France: 223
The Oriflamme and the Vexillum
vi CONTENTS
C. French Kings and Queens Buried in the 227
Abbey of Saint-Denis
D. Terms of Measurement and Money in Suger 243
Glossary of Medieval Words in the Selected Works 245
of Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis
Glossary of Medieval Latin Words in the Selected 259
Works of Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis
Selected Bibliography 275
Index 283
Illustrations
&
Suger’s Additions to the Basilica of 39
Saint-Denis
Chapels and Altars in Saint-Denis 47
The Church of Saint-Denis in 1144 53
Félibien’s Sketch Map of Saint-Denis (1702) 59
The Possessions of the Abbey of S aint-Denis 70
in the Twelfth Century
The Second Crusade 139
Normandy in the Twelfth Century 142
Royal Tombs in the Abbey Church of 233
Saint-Denis and Its Crypt
vii

Preface
Preface
&
Suger, the t welfth-century abbot of S aint-Denis, has not received
the respect and attention that he deserves for his contributions to
history. Bernard of Clairvaux and Peter the Venerable have gar-
nered more attention, and students of medieval history know their
names well. Yet Suger has earned due praise for his architectural
innovations, for the Church of Saint-Denis is truly one of the most
beautiful churches in Europe. It soars into the sky with its elevated
walls and rows of multistoried stained glass windows. Its interior is
light-filled and spacious. Churches that adhere to the Romanesque
style of architecture are dark and bulky in comparison. Tourists
who journey to Paris flock to the cathedral of Notre Dame, whereas
most do not even know that Saint-Denis exists. Those who do visit it
are amazed by its aesthetic loveliness. Its architect, Suger, would be
most pleased. Like the later Thomas More, the abbot of S aint-Denis
was indeed a man for all seasons.
Suger’s writings provide a wealth of information about the events
of his era, but their translators wish that his Latin syntax were less
convoluted in structure and meaning. He abandoned the straight-
forward approach that most medieval chroniclers used to convey
events, but he continued their habit of not providing the anteced-
ents of pronouns, thus leaving his readers searching for clarity. Sug-
er also used the pronouns “I” and “we” in reference to himself in
the same sentence or paragraph. It is no wonder that few attempts
have been made to render his writings into English.
ix