122. TO WALCHELIN, BISHOP OF: Winchester.
The Letters of St. Anselm
122. TO WALCHELIN, BISHOP OF
WINCHESTER.
Anselm informs Walchelin, Bishop of Winchester, that Abbot Rainer of Mont Saint Trinite had never granted any concession to Dom Stephen. At the request of Dom Robert he intercedes with the bishop of Winchester for Robert's brother
Gilbert.
TO HIS LORD AND FATHER, THE REVEREND BISHOP WALCHELIN1:
BROTHER ANSELM SENDS THE PLEDGE OF HIS PRAYERS AND SERVICE.
I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE LORD ABBOT of La Trinite-duMont2 according to what I know to be your wish. He utterly denies that a concession was made to you by lord abbot
Rainer3 concerning Dom Stephen. The abbot considers him self in a position to confirm this denial because, he says, at your entreaties, he did concede to this same brother some thing to the effect that he could be recalled by himself or, after him, by the prior of his monastery and that he must return without excuse; and that your reverence, not un willingly, accepted this interpretation. I persuaded him as well as I could, however, not to do anything rash against your will. Finally, he has already written to you or will be writing what his wishes are. In the meantime let all obsta cles to delay in this brother's return be removed. During this time, if there is anything more I can do, I shall try to work it out with him according to what I know you want.
Dom Robert,4 our brother and fellow-servant under your holiness, whom I would also like to call your friend, since
I know it to be so, but dare not because perhaps not every one who hears it will believe it: insists, I know not why, but trusting me excessively, despite myself, [insists] that I intercede with your piety for his brother Gilbert. Yet it is always extremely difficult for me to have to ask anything from somebody against his will, and most of all from some one whose kindness I want never to offend. So I am sur rounded by difficulties on all sides.5 For if I were not moved by devout entreaties, I should be excessively hard; if.
The Letters of St. Anselm however, I extorted by entreaties something from someone who was unwilling—even something he would willingly give—I would be afraid of appearing importunate. Since, therefore, I dare neither to keep silent, nor to beg, at least your kind prudence will allow your servant to pose a ques tion humbly that he may learn. For the lips of the priest should keep knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth because he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.6
Therefore I desire to be taught by your wisdom whether, before God, the father does not bear the iniquity of the son, or the son the iniquity of the father,7 or whether, before kinsmen, the brother should bear the crime of a brother.
We see this happening not only among many strangers but also among certain kinsmen whose authority cannot easily be censured. Finally, how can it be true that just as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the sons pertains to God: in the same way it can be seen that like the flesh of one brother, so the flesh of the other brother belongs to his kinsman.
If any guilt passes to the kinsman, the son is closer to his father than the brother to his brother. If, therefore, it ap pears to your holiness that a solution to this question can be found, tell your solution to the afore-named Gilbert, who is close to you, and the responsibility for supplying my hesi tation with the answer will be on him. Farewell.
Before 1093.
NOTES 1. Walchelin, Bishop of Winchester, 1070-1098; see W. Frohlich, 'Bischofliche Kollegen', AA 1 (1969) 232-235; F. Barlow, English Church,
62 and passim.
2. Abbot Walter (c. 1080-1120) of La-Trinite-du-Mont at Rouen which had been founded by Goscelin of Arques; see OV II: 106, IV: 104.
3. Abbot Rainer succeeded Isembert, the first abbot, who had died c.
1070. Rainer died in 1077.
4. He seems to be a monk of Bee.
5. Dan 13:22.
6. Mai 2:7.
7. Cf. Ez 18:20.
8. Ez 18:4.