Critical Edition of the Sermons of Radulfus Ardens (d. c. 1200)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Stephan Ernst
• Subject Area: Roman Catholic Theology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 548956811

In the second half of the 12th century – before the founding of the university – there is an increased reflection in the schools of Paris about their work and their self-conception. This process of reflection also includes the increased effort to promote and improve pastoral care and thus also preaching through teaching. In the process, there is a transformation of theology into practice. Nevertheless, the sermon literature of this period of the 12th and 13th centuries, in which this process of reflection could be read well, is practically unexplored. In view of this desideratum, the goal of the proposed project is to critically edit the collection of 202 ser-mons attributed to Radulfus Ardens and thus make them more accessible and reliable. At the same time, the question of the authorship of the sermons is to be further clarified by comparing their language and content with the Speculum universale, the main work of Radulfus Ardens. A modern edition of these ser-mons could then be a solid basis for further research: for example, the question of the connections and dependencies of the theologians of the 12th century (e.g. Alanus of Lille, Petrus Cantor, etc.) among themselves, as well as for further research in social and scientific history.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants