The Letters of Hugh Metel

Hugh Metel's letters, addressed to some of the most famous individuals of his age, including Bernard of Clairvaux, Peter Abelard, and Heloise, are the work of a stylish writer exploring the common concerns of this group. This volume offers a critical edition and translation of the fifty-five letters of Hugh Metel (c. 1080-c. 1150), an Augustinian canon, which cover a wide range of issues, relating to scripture, theology and canon law. He was also a prolific writer of verse, and he was keen to show how he could combine his interest in the liberal arts with his knowledge of scripture and the Church Fathers. His circle of correspondents included some of the most famous individuals of his age, including Bernard of Clairvaux, Peter Abelard, Heloise and many bishops in his region. The few scholars who mention Hugh Metel have often described his rhetorical style, permeated by literary allusions, especially to Horace, scripture and the Fathers, as 'bombastic'. Nonetheless, Hugh does have a powerful command of Latin and took pleasure in crafting letters to his circle of friends and to those with whom he wanted to share common concerns.