Gottschalk
Gottschalk, born around 804 near Mainz, was a significant figure in early medieval theology and poetry. Originally sent to the monastery at Fulda by his Saxon noble father, he later sought to renounce his monastic vows, a request that remains uncertain in its outcome. Gottschalk moved to the Corbie monastery and eventually settled at Orbais, where he encountered the works of St. Augustine. He developed a controversial doctrine of double predestination, asserting that God predetermined the fate of every individual for heaven or hell before birth. This belief led to conflicts with church authorities, particularly after he moved to Italy in 840 to preach his doctrine. His teachings resulted in his conviction for heresy and subsequent banishment. Despite facing opposition, Gottschalk continued to advocate for his beliefs in Germany, and his ideas were discussed at various church councils in the 850s. Alongside his theological contributions, Gottschalk was also an innovative poet, utilizing diverse styles, including Sapphic and Latin hexameter, and his works have had lasting influence, surviving into the modern era.
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Subject Terms
Gottschalk
Monk
- Born: c. 804
- Birthplace: Near Mainz, Germany
- Died: c. 868
Biography
Gottschalk was born around the year 804 near Mainz to a Saxon noble who sent him away to the monastery at Fulda. In 829, Gottschalk tried to get out of his monastic vows, claiming he was forced into them. It is unknown whether or not his wish was granted. However, it is known that he moved to the Corbie monastery before settling at Orbais. It was there that he read St. Augustine and came to believe that all people had been predestined by God for heaven or hell before their birth. This theory expanded on Augustine’s teachings but got Gottschalk in trouble.
![Louis Moreau Gottschalk pictured on an 1864 Publication of The Dying Poet for piano By Louis Moreau Gottschalk [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons 89873772-75817.jpg](https://imageserver.ebscohost.com/img/embimages/ers/sp/embedded/89873772-75817.jpg?ephost1=dGJyMNHX8kSepq84xNvgOLCmsE2epq5Srqa4SK6WxWXS)
In the late 830’s, Gottschalk became more deeply ensconced in his convictions. He left his monastery in 840 to travel to Italy, where he preached his double-predestination doctrine. Driven from Italy by Hrabanus Maurus, Gottschalk tried to save his pride by refuting Maurus’s beliefs in court. His effort failed, and Gottschalk was convicted of heresy and banished from Louis the German’s kingdom. Gottschalk continued professing his faith in Germany, and the issue of his place in the Church was brought up at several councils in the 850’s and even discussed by the Pope before Gottschalk’s abrupt death.
Collections of Gottschalk’s work were not published until after his death. His poetry follows many different styles, including Sapphic and metric, and it also makes use of Latin hexameter. He was in many ways an innovator in German poetry because of his versatility, and his poems remained popular enough to survive into the modern era.