Ivo of Chartres - Biography

Biography

Ivo of Chartres was born to a non-noble family based in or nearby Chartres around the year 1040. He is claimed to have studied first in Paris, then in Abbey of Bec in Normandy where (according to some sources) he studied under Lanfranc along with Anselm of Canterbury. We do not hear much of him until some time after he had joined the clergy, when around 1070 he was asked to become the prior of the canon at the Augustinian house of Saint Quentin at Beauvais by his bishop. From there he quickly established himself as being one of the best teachers in all of France during this time.

However, it was his knowledge in canon law as both a lawyer and a clerical operate that most likely won him in 1090 the position as successor of the previous Bishop of Chartres (who either had been removed from his position or had left it after a simony scandal). There are some discrepancies over who was Ivo's predecessor and successor; this is because different sources suggest that it was Geoffrey of Chartres for both positions, only that Urban II recommended Ivo in this position due to his knowledge of canon law. In light of the events that preceded his appointment to the office of bishop, his strong opposition to the practice of simony may well have played a role in his ascension to the higher office.

This firm beliefs and piety lead to some troubles for him during his twenty-five year reign as bishop of Chartres. Around 1092, Philip I was the current king of France and was married to Bertha of Holland but wished to be essentially rid of her so that he may marry Bertrade of Anjou. Believing in the sanctity of marriage, Ivo of Chartres was vocally against this to such a degree that he became incarcerated for a short time.

It is also important to note that we do not really see much in the way of the Gregorian reforms in this area until Ivo of Chartres receives the office of bishop. He was an acquaintance of Countess Adele of Blois, who helped him reform the abbey of St.Jean-en-Vallée. In addition, on several occasions he stood by her decisions when the questions were put to him, most notably during the events concerning Rotrou III of Perche when he refused to assert ecclesiastical sanctions against him.

It was also during his time in office that he wrote the bulk of his works, which he later became most noted for and as such, awarded him a place among the greatest thinkers of the medieval era. And is recognized by Salutati as an eloquent writer despite his affirmation that there is (or was) a degradation of eloquence of writing outside of Italy.