The Letters of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

This distinguished translation of the correspondence of St Bernard of Clairvaux reflects the remarkable intellectual, spiritual, and political influence the charismatic Cistercian abbot had on twelfth-century Europe. As the eloquent spokesman for reformed monasticism, he was consulted by kings, predates, and scholars as the conscience of western Christendom. He was also a man of action, founding more than seventy monasteries, arguing successfully for the recognition of Innocent II in a contested papal election, preaching the Second Crusade across Europe, and challenging new approaches to theology. Bernard's views of all these events, as well as his practical advice on the demands Christian commitment places on life, can be seen in his letters.

Published continuously since the Middle Ages — at least one hundred forty-one translations of Bernard's works appeared between 1946 and 1950 and new translations are still being made — the works of Bernard have continued to fascinate Christians of succeeding ages. Among them, the letters in Bruno Scott James' translation hold a special place, both for the intimate insights they give into the mind of the saint and for the eloquence of the English rendering. As D.M. Bell has noted, 'it is difficult to see how his translation can be improved'.

Beverly Kienzle's introduction takes into account the wealth of scholarly research which has taken place since the first publication of Bruno Scott James' translation in 1953. In addition to providing a new chronology and bibliography on the Letters. She discusses the place letter-writing held in medieval, especially monastic, literature, and provides a short biography of the saint who called himself 'the chimaera of my age'.