BERNOLDO DI COSTANZA

BERNOLDO di COSTANZA. - Chronicler, b. about the middle of the 11th century in the diocese of Constance, d. 16 Sept. 1100 at Schaffhausen. He studied under the guidance of Bernardo di Costanza and was a Benedictine monk of St. Blasien. In 1079 he took part in the Roman Council and, having returned to Germany, became one of the most convinced supporters of Gregorio VII. In 1084 he was ordained priest at Constance and, in 1091, entered the monastery of S. Salvatore at Schaffhausen. He wrote numerous polemical treatises; he compiled a Catalogus Romanorum Pontificum; the Micrologus (v.) is also attributed to him. His principal work is the Chronicon, begun in 1072 or 1073, which extends from the birth of Christ to 3 Aug. 1100. In compiling this work, B. relied, up to 1073, on the chronicles of Beda, Ermanno Contratto, and Bertoldo di Reichenau; from 1073 to 1100 he reconstructed, with great accuracy and critical spirit, events which he had himself witnessed. Although not free from errors, B.’s chronicle may be regarded as the most important source for the history of the Church in the 11th century.