View source for Medieval chronicles and hagiographic texts

== 2.2 - Medieval chronicles and hagiographic texts ==

=== 2.2.1 - The Chronicles of the Micaelian Monasteries ===

==== Monte Sant'Angelo, Mont-Saint-Michel, Sacra di San Michele Monte Sant'Angelo (Apulia) ====
The Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel, located in Monte Sant'Angelo on the Gargano promontory, is one of the oldest places of Michaelic worship in Europe. According to the Liber de apparitione Sancti Michaelis, dating back to the 9th century, the Archangel Michael appeared several times to Bishop Lorenzo Maiorano, indicating the cave as a sacred place. This hagiographic text recounts three apparitions of the Archangel and played a fundamental role in the spread of the Michaelic cult in the West. The sanctuary became the destination of pilgrimages from all over Europe and was the subject of numerous chronicles and records of miracles and apparitions. 

=== Mont-Saint-Michel (Normandy, France) ===
The Benedictine abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, founded in 966, stands on a rocky islet in the bay of the same name. According to legend, in 708 the Archangel Michael appeared in a dream to Bishop Aubert of Avranches, asking him to build an oratory on the mountain. Medieval chronicles, such as those of Robert of Torigni, abbot of the abbey in the 12th century, document the history of the abbey, its relations with the French monarchy and the numerous miracles attributed to the Archangel.  

=== Sacra di San Michele (Piedmont) ===
The Sacra di San Michele, located on Mount Pirchiriano at the entrance to the Susa Valley, was founded between 983 and 987. This Benedictine monastery became an important spiritual and cultural centre, connected to the Via Francigena. Monastic chronicles, such as the Chronicon Coenobii Sancti Michaelis de Clusa, narrate historical events, local legends and miracles attributed to the Archangel. The Sacra is also known to have been a source of inspiration for Umberto Eco in his novel The Name of the Rose.

=== Registers, annals, letters and local legends ===
The Michaelic monasteries produced a wide range of documents, including pilgrimage registers, historical annals, epistolary correspondence and local legends. These texts not only document historical events, but also reflect popular devotion and the perception of the sacred in the Middle Ages. For instance, inscriptions left by pilgrims in the caves of Monte Sant'Angelo testify to the spread of the cult of St. Michael throughout Europe. 

=== Chronicles of miracles and apparitions ===
The chronicles of the Micaelian monasteries are full of tales of miracles and apparitions attributed to the Archangel Michael. These tales served to strengthen the faith of the devout and to promote pilgrimage to the sanctuaries. Among the best-known miracles are miraculous healings, luminous apparitions in the grotto of Monte Sant'Angelo and protections offered to monks and pilgrims during times of danger.

== Recommended multimedia content ==

=== Images ===
[https://www.santuariosanmichele.it/ • Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo - Monte Sant'Angelo (Apulia)]

Façade of the sanctuary located on the Gargano, one of the oldest Micaelic places of worship in Europe.

[https://www.abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr/en • Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel - Normandy (France)]

View of the Benedictine abbey situated on a rocky islet in the bay of the same name.

[https://sacradisanmichele.com/ • Sacra di San Michele - Piedmont (Italy)]

Overview of the abbey located on Mount Pirchiriano, at the entrance to the Susa Valley.

=== Video ===
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY1a0lLYipQ • "Exploring Mont Saint Michel - Inside France's Most Iconic Landmark".]

A documentary exploring the history and architecture of Mont-Saint-Michel.

== Sources and references ==
[[wikipedia:Liber_de_apparitione_Sancti_Michaelis|Liber de apparitione Sancti Michaelis - Wikipedia]]

[https://www.abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr/en/discover/history-of-the-monument Mont-Saint-Michel Abbaye du Mont-Saint-MichelAbbey -] 

[https://www.abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr/en/discover/history-of-the-monument?utm_source=chatgpt.com Sacra di San Michele - Official WebsiteWikipedia+2Wikipedia+2abbaye-mont- saint-michel.frsacradisanmichele.com+1]

[https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santuario_di_San_Michele_Arcangelo Monte Sant'Angelo: Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo - Wikipedia]

[[wikipedia:Mont-Saint-Michel_Abbey|Mont-Saint-Michel Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey - Wikipedia:]]

[https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacra_di_San_Michele Sacra di San MicheleSacra di San Michele - Wikipedia:] 

== 2.2.2 - St Michael in the universal chronicles ==

=== The Chronicon of Rudolph the Glaber ===
Rudolf the Glabro, an 11th-century Burgundian monk, is known for his work Historiarum Libri Quinque, a chronicle covering events from 900 to 1044. In this, the Archangel Michael is mentioned in connection with miraculous events and apparitions, reflecting the perception of the Archangel as protector and spiritual guide in the context of the transformations of the year 1000.  

=== The Gesta Regum Anglorum and the island tradition ===
William of Malmesbury's Gesta Regum Anglorum, written in the 12th century, is one of the main sources for the history of English kings. In this work, the Archangel Michael is evoked in contexts that emphasise his role as protector of the kingdom and sovereigns, highlighting his importance in the island tradition.  

=== The Late Medieval Italian Chronicles ===
In the late Middle Ages, several Italian chronicles, such as those of Giacomo Malvezzi, document local and national events, often including references to St. Michael. These works reflect the spread of the Michaelic cult and its integration into the historical and religious narratives of the time. Medieval Italy

== Recommended multimedia content ==

=== Images ===
[https://www.anobii.com/books/Storie_dell%27anno_Mille/9788816772014/0130a2a8f3466308f5 1. Rudolph the Glaber - Stories from the year 1000]

Cover of the Italian edition of the work by Rodolfo il Glabro.

[[google:🔗+View+image&oq=🔗+View+image&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIKCAEQABgKGBYYHjIICAIQABgWGB4yCggDEAAYChgWGB4yCAgEEAAYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjIICAYQABgWGB4yCAgHEAAYFhgeMggICBAAGBYYHjIICAkQABgWGB7SAQczOTdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8|2. Manuscript of the Gesta Regum Anglorum]]

Page from the original manuscript of William of Malmesbury's Gesta Regum Anglorum.

[https://www.ibs.it/cronache-medievali-libro-giacomo-malvezzi/e/9788838244391 3. Giacomo Malvezzi - The Medieval Chronicles]

Cover of the chronicles edition by Giacomo Malvezzi.

=== Video ===
[https://www.facebook.com/italiamedievale.org/videos/le-cronache-medievali-di-giacomo-malvezzi/10154225211801631/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 1. Presentation of 'The Medieval Chronicles of Giacomo Malvezzi'.]

Video presentation of the essay on Giacomo Malvezzi.

== Sources and references ==
[https://books.google.com.ag/books?id=j8YkW2uLVjkC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb • Rudolph the Glaber - Stories from the year One Thousand]

Italian edition edited by Giancarlo Andenna and Dorino Tuniz.

[https://archive.org/details/malmesbury-gesta-regum-anglorum-vol-1 • William of Malmesbury - Gesta Regum Anglorum]

English edition: The History of the English Kings, Oxford Medieval Texts.

[https://www.edizionistudium.it/libri/le-cronache-medievali-di-giacomo-malvezzi • Giacomo Malvezzi - The Medieval Chronicles]

== 2.2.3 - Official and non-canonical hagiographies ==
Lives and legends of saints related to Michael (e.g. San Lorenzo Maiorano)

San Lorenzo Maiorano, bishop of Siponto in the 6th century, is closely linked to the cult of St Michael. According to tradition, he was the protagonist of the apparitions of the Archangel Michael on Mount Gargano, an event that led to the consecration of the cave as a sanctuary. His official "Vitae", such as the "Vita Maior" and the "Vita Minor", narrate these miraculous events and are fundamental to understanding the spread of the cult of St Michael in the West. 

=== Hagiographic texts in Latin, Greek and the vernacular ===
Hagiographic texts on St. Michael have spread in several languages:

• Latin: main language for the official 'Vitae' and liturgical texts. 

• Greek: Used in southern Italian regions under Byzantine influence, where hagiographic texts in Greek characters are found.  

• Vulgar: Starting in the 13th century, the production of hagiographic texts in the vernacular made the stories of the saints accessible to a wider audience.

=== Folk narratives and oral transcriptions ===
The cult of St Michael has generated a rich heritage of popular narratives, often passed down orally and subsequently transcribed. These stories, collected in various Italian regions, reflect popular devotion and the importance of the Archangel in local culture.

== Recommended multimedia content ==

=== Images ===
[https://www.manfredonianews.it/2024/02/07/la-statua-di-san-lorenzo-maiorano/ • Statue of St Lawrence Maiorano in Manfredonia Cathedral]

Representation of the holy bishop, closely linked to the cult of St. Michael.

[https://edipuglia.it/catalogo/la-memoria-agiografica-di-san-michele-sul-gargano/ • Cover of the book 'La memoria agiografica di San Michele sul Gargano' (The hagiographic memory of St Michael on the Gargano)]

Critical text analysing hagiographic sources related to the cult of St. Michael.

[https://www.buongiornocongesu.it/preghiera-a-san-michele-arcangelo/ • Prayer to St Michael Archangel]

An example of popular devotion linked to the Archangel.

=== Video ===
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36Fy07reEv8 • "The powerful prayer to St Michael the Archangel".]

Video presenting a traditional prayer dedicated to the Archangel Michael.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrGv6rqZLBE • 'San Michele - popular song' by Francesco Mingucci]

Traditional song celebrating the Archangel Michael, reflecting popular devotion.

== Sources and references ==
[https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorenzo_Maiorano Wikipedia - Lorenzo MaioranoWikipedia+1Wikipedia+1]

[https://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/91920 Saints San Lorenzo and Blesseds - MaioranoSantiebeati]

[https://www.persee.fr/doc/efr_0223-5099_2006_act_363_1_8694 Persée - The Saints of  ItalyPerséeGreek]

[https://ricerca.sns.it/retrieve/e3aacdfd-f012-4c98-e053-3705fe0acb7e/FG_tesi_perfezionamento.pdf SNS - Lyric-monostrophic texts of oral Researchsung traditionSNS] 

== 2.2.4 - St Michael in medieval miracles ==

=== Collections of Marian and Michaelic miracles (e.g. Miracula S. Michaelis) ===
Medieval collections of miracles, such as the Miracula S. Michaelis, document prodigious events attributed to the intercession of the Archangel Michael. These texts, often compiled in sanctuaries dedicated to St Michael, served to strengthen popular devotion and testify to the Archangel's power to protect the faithful and punish the wicked.

=== The didactic and devotional function of miracles ===
Miracle narratives had a twofold function: on the one hand, they educated the faithful in Christian values through concrete examples of rewarded faith; on the other, they nourished popular devotion, stimulating pilgrimages and religious practices. Miraculous narratives were often used in sermons and liturgical readings to instruct and inspire the community.

=== Literary reworkings between the 12th and 15th centuries ===
Between the 12th and 15th centuries, the miracles of Saint Michael were the subject of literary reworkings that broadened their dissemination. Authors such as Jacopo da Varazze, in his Legenda Aurea, included miraculous stories of the Archangel, contributing to consolidating his cult throughout Europe. These works, written in Latin and later translated into vernacular languages, allowed a wider enjoyment of miracle stories by the people.

== Recommended multimedia content ==

=== Images ===
[https://www.roger-pearse.com/weblog/2021/05/22/bhl-5955b-the-miracula-in-monte-s-michaelis-in-cornubia/ • Manuscript of the Miracula in Monte S. Michaelis in Cornubia]

Page from a medieval manuscript containing miracles attributed to St Michael.

[https://orsomarsoblues.it/2020/03/liber-de-apparitione-sancti-michaelis-in-monte-gargano/ • Fresco depicting a miracle of St Michael]

Painting illustrating one of the Archangel's apparitions on Mount Gargano.

[https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/miracle-of-michael-archangel.html • 13th century Gothic bas-relief depicting a miracle of St. Michael]

Sculpture representing a miraculous intervention by the Archangel.

[https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/471730 • Painting of St Michael the Archangel fighting the devil]

Artistic work depicting the Archangel Michael in combat with the devil.

=== Video ===
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JuXhoW6RWg • "The greatest miracle of St Michael the Archangel".]

Video narrating one of the most famous miracles attributed to St Michael.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JuXhoW6RWg • "Miraculous night prayer to St Michael the Archangel".]

Traditional prayer recited to invoke the Archangel's protection during the night.

== Sources and references ==
[[wikipedia:Liber_de_apparitione_Sancti_Michaelis|• Liber de apparitione Sancti Michaelis - Wikipedia]]

• [https://primo.sns.it/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=39PIS_VISTA&docid=39pis_alma2159552730002521&context=L Giorgio Otranto, 'The 'Liber de Apparitione', the Sanctuary of St Michael on the Gargano and the Lombards in the Duchy of Benevento'.] 

[https://www.lelettere.it/libro/9788871665412 • Jacopo da Varazze, Legenda Aurea - https://www.lelettere.it/libro/9788871665412]

== 2.2.5 - Poetic and liturgical-narrative texts ==

=== The St Michael Passion and sacred dramas ===
The Passion of Revello (1481) represents one of the few medieval sacred dramas dedicated to the Archangel Michael of which the text is preserved. This drama, performed in Piedmont, is known to be the only one of its kind in the region, with the manuscript datable to the second half of the 15th century preserved in Florence.  

=== Liturgical uses with narratives: hymns, sequences, tropes ===
The figure of St Michael is celebrated in numerous medieval liturgical texts, including hymns, sequences and troparies. A significant example is the Breviary of St Michael of the Klausen (1315), used for at least three centuries in the daily prayer cycle at the Monastery of St Michael of the Klausen, known as the Sacra di San Michele. This breviary contains a rich repertoire of Gregorian chants and poetic texts dedicated to the Archangel.  

=== Poetic fortune in monastic culture ===
In medieval monastic culture, Saint Michael was the subject of numerous poetic compositions. Monks, inspired by the figure of the Archangel as defender of the faith, produced hymns and poems celebrating his virtues and feats. These works, often integrated into the liturgy, reflect the deep monastic devotion to St Michael.

== Recommended multimedia content ==

=== Images ===
[https://www.abbazie.com/sacra_san_michele/arte_it.html • Sacra di San Michele fresco]

Depiction of the Archangel Michael in the abbey church of the Sacra di San Michele.

[https://www.arrediliturgici.it/prodotto/immagine-san-michele-arcangelo-art-3309mc/ • Statue of St Michael Archangel]

Liturgical statue of the Archangel Michael, symbol of his veneration in the monastic tradition.

[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/617556167633888713/ • Byzantine iconography of St Michael]

Representation of the Archangel Michael according to Byzantine tradition.

=== Video ===
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhTX7EC7sZ0 • "Prayer to St Michael the Archangel".]

Video presenting a traditional prayer dedicated to the Archangel Michael.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JuXhoW6RWg • "The powerful prayer to St Michael the Archangel".]

Video narrating a traditional prayer recited to invoke the Archangel's protection.

== Sources and references ==
[https://www.academia.edu/4840556/San_Michele_in_Piemonte_La_Passione_di_Revello_1481_?utm_source=chatgpt.com • Marco Piccat, St. Michael in Piedmont: The Passion of Revello (1481) - AcademiaAcademia.edu] 

[https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breviario_di_San_Michele_della_Chiusa?utm_source=chatgpt.com • Breviary of San Michele della Chiusa - WikipediaWikipedia+1Wikipedia+1]

[https://www.santuariosanmichele.it/inno-in-onore-di-san-michele-arcangelo/?lang=en&utm_source=chatgpt.com • Hymn in honour of St Michael Archangel - Sanctuary of St MichaelBasilica Sanctuary of St Michael]