Melodie H. Eichbauer, "Law in a Culture of Theology: The Use of Canon Law by Parisian Theologians, Ca. 1120-Ca. 1220" (Routledge, 2025)

Nov 16, 2025

Melodie H. Eichbauer, a medieval legal and ecclesiastical historian, dives into the complex relationship between canon law and theology in twelfth-century Paris. She discusses the significance of legal knowledge among theologians, like Peter the Chanter, and how they applied it to issues like marriage and excommunication. Eichbauer explores the legal foundations of heresy trials and how figures like Robert of Courçon justified clerical roles. Additionally, she highlights Thomas of Chobham's engagement with secular law to critique royal claims, revealing a rich tapestry of law's influence on theology.

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insights

INSIGHT

Law Travels With People And Places

Medieval legal knowledge circulated regionally along pilgrimage and travel routes like the Via Francigena.
Local collections and administrators shaped law to fit diocesan and monastic needs rather than copying a single pan-European model.

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INSIGHT

Collections Were Tailored, Not Copied

Compilers adapted major legal collections to local administrative needs, altering content and emphasis.
Walter of Therouan's Collection of Ten Parts shows deliberate changes for Augustinian houses, penitential practice, and Roman procedural law.

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INSIGHT

Same Sources, Different Uses

Theologians and canonists used the same legal sources but treated them differently depending on audience and purpose.
Peter the Chanter taught full citations for students while a diocesan official omitted them and distilled rules for practice.

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Author Introduction and Research Focus

01:53 • 58sec

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Why Study Law and Theology Together?

02:51 • 4min

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Why Northern France Developed a Legal Culture

06:50 • 7min

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Which Legal Sources Did Theologians Use?

14:16 • 4min

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How Theology and Canon Law Interacted in Paris

18:24 • 6min

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How Peter the Chanter Used Law for Pastoral Care

24:05 • 5min

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How Robert of Courçon Justified Clerical Roles in Heresy Trials

How Robert of Flamborough Tailored Penitentials for Students

35:13 • 6min

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How Thomas of Chobham Engaged Secular Law on Greed

Decretum of Burkhardt of Worms

Summa de sacramentis et animae consiliis

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Peter the Chanter

Peter the Chanter's Summa de sacramentis et animae consiliis is a significant work that delves into the sacraments and their relationship to the human soul. The Summa explores various aspects of the sacraments, providing theological insights and practical guidance for pastoral care. Peter the Chanter emphasizes the importance of understanding the sacraments as visible signs of God's grace and their role in the spiritual life of believers. The text also discusses the moral and ethical implications of the sacraments, offering counsel on how to live a virtuous life. This Summa reflects Peter the Chanter's deep understanding of theology and his commitment to providing clear and accessible explanations of complex theological concepts.

Liber poenitentialis

Robert of Flamborough.

Robert of Flamborough's Liber poenitentialis is a penitential manual designed to guide confessors in assessing sins and prescribing appropriate penances. The manual provides a systematic overview of various sins, categorizing them and offering guidelines for their evaluation. Robert of Flamborough draws upon theological and legal sources to inform his understanding of sin and penance. The text also includes practical advice for confessors on how to approach penitents and administer the sacrament of penance effectively. This Liber poenitentialis reflects Robert of Flamborough's deep understanding of theology and his commitment to providing practical guidance for the administration of penance.

Summa penitentiae

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Robert of Couçon

Robert of Couçon's Summa penitentiae is a theological work focused on the sacrament of penance and its implications for the Christian life. The Summa delves into the various aspects of penance, including contrition, confession, and satisfaction, providing detailed explanations of their theological underpinnings. Robert of Couçon emphasizes the importance of sincere repentance and the role of confession in seeking forgiveness for sins. The text also discusses the different types of sins and their corresponding penances, offering guidance on how to achieve reconciliation with God and the Church. This Summa reflects Robert of Couçon's deep understanding of theology and his commitment to providing clear and accessible explanations of complex theological concepts.

Summa confessorum

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Thomas of Chobham

Thomas of Chobham's Summa confessorum is a manual for confessors, providing guidance on various aspects of pastoral care and moral theology. The Summa covers a wide range of topics, including the Ten Commandments, the seven deadly sins, and the sacraments, offering detailed explanations and practical advice for confessors. Thomas of Chobham emphasizes the importance of understanding the individual circumstances of penitents and tailoring penances accordingly. The text also includes discussions on social and economic issues, reflecting Thomas of Chobham's engagement with the contemporary world. This Summa confessorum reflects Thomas of Chobham's deep understanding of theology and his commitment to providing practical guidance for the administration of penance.

Law in a Culture of Theology

The Use of Canon Law by Parisian Theologians, ca. 1120-ca. 1220

Ash Bauer

This book considers the study of law within its intellectual environment, demonstrating that theologians associated with the schools of Paris in the twelfth century had a working knowledge of Romano-canonical tradition. It explores how these theologians, particularly Peter the Chanter and his circle, thought about the human context of the law. The book begins by illustrating the extent to which law was integrated into the fabric of the schools of Paris. It then presents individual case studies to further support its arguments. This book is a useful resource for students and researchers interested in medieval canon law, medieval theology, and pre-modern law.

Sententiae

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Peter Lombard

Peter Lombard's 'Sententiae,' also known as 'Four Books of Sentences,' is a highly influential work of medieval theology that systematically organizes theological topics into four books. The first book discusses the Trinity, exploring the nature of God and the divine attributes. The second book examines creation, sin, and grace, delving into the origins of the universe and humanity's relationship with God. The third book focuses on the Incarnation, Christ's life, and the sacraments, explaining the significance of Christ's saving work. The fourth book addresses eschatology, the last things, and the resurrection, contemplating the ultimate destiny of humanity and the cosmos. Lombard's 'Sententiae' became a standard textbook for theological education in the Middle Ages, shaping the development of scholastic theology.

De Sacramentis

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Hugh of St. Victor

De Sacramentis is a significant theological work by Hugh of St. Victor that explores the nature and significance of the sacraments in the Christian faith. The treatise delves into the various sacraments, such as baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist, providing detailed explanations of their theological underpinnings. Hugh of St. Victor's work emphasizes the importance of understanding the sacraments as visible signs of God's grace and their role in the spiritual life of believers. The text also discusses the relationship between the sacraments and the Incarnation, highlighting how Christ's saving work is made present through these sacred rituals. De Sacramentis reflects Hugh of St. Victor's profound understanding of theology and his commitment to providing clear and accessible explanations of complex theological concepts.

Law in a Culture of Theology: The Use of Canon Law by Parisian Theologians, ca. 1120-ca. 1220 (Routledge, 2025) considers the study of law within its intellectual environment. It demonstrates that theologians associated with the schools of Paris in the twelfth century, particularly Peter the Chanter and his circle, had a working knowledge of Romano-canonical tradition and thought about the human context of the law, which, in turn, reflected the environment in which each master worked. It begins by showing the extent to which law was woven into the fabric of the schools of Paris, and follows with individual case studies.

These case studies--marriage in Hugh of St. Victor's De Sacramentis and Peter Lombard's Sententiae, excommunication in Peter the Chanter's Summa de sacramentis et animae consiliis, crusade activity and heresy in Robert of Couçon's Summa penitentiae, homicide in Robert of Flamborough's Liber poenitentialis, and the faces of greed in Thomas of Chobham's Summa confessorum--demonstrate how each theologian drew upon legal thought, for what end he was using it, and how his use of law fit into contemporary legal thinking. A competency in law proved valuable to, and was tailored for, different types of ecclesiastical roles: teachers showing students how to analytically navigate complex questions of pastoral care, papal judge-delegate on the cusp of full-time administration on behalf of the papacy, penitentiarius of St. Victor and the students at the University of Paris, or diocesan management.

This book will be a useful resource for all students and researchers interested in medieval canon law, medieval theology and pre-modern law.

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