ILDEFONSO OF TOLEDO, Saint — I. of T. dressed in pontifical vestments by the Virgin assisted by an angel. Spanish Franciscan Breviary (2nd half of 15th cent.) — Paris, Bibliothèque nationale, ms. lat. 1064, f. 285.
Important because in several respects it is the only source for the life and ecclesiastical history in Spain. Two letters addressed to Quiricus, Bishop of Barcelona, on the occasion of the Libellus de virginitate are also known.
The theology of I. belongs to the traditional patrimony of the great Fathers of the Church, mainly St. Jerome, St. Augustine, and St. Gregory the Great. Characteristic is the style of synonyms, adopted in the Libellus de virginitate and carried to an extreme: a fervent effusion of overflowing affection. In his other works the exposition is calmer and more balanced.
The Libellus de virginitate was translated into Castilian in the 15th century by Alfonso Martínez of Toledo, archpriest of Talavera.