GOTTSCHALK, or FDLGENTIUS, a prominent figure in one of the most important theo logical controversies of the Oth c., was the son of I3erno, a Saxon count, and, having been devoted from infancy by his parents to the monastic life, was trained at the monastery of Fulda, during the abbacy of Hrabanus Manrus, and while Walafridus Strabus was a member of the fraternity. At the approach of manhood he made strenuous efforts to be released from his vows; and lie actually succeeded in obtaining from a synod held at Mainz in 829 the necessary dispensation; but through the hostile influence of his abbot this was afterwards cancelled by Louis the Pious, though as a slight mitigation of the barshness of this treatment he was permitted to remove to the monastery of Orbais, in the diocese of Soissons. Here be devoted himself to ardent study of the writings of Augustine, with the result that he became an enthusiastic believer in the doctrine of absolute predestination. in one point going even beyond his master, Gottschalk believ ing in a predestination to condemnation as well as a predestination to salvation, while Augustine had .contented himself with a doctrine of preterition as complementary to his doctrine of election. While returning a pilgrimage to Borne in the year 847. Gottschalk, happening to pass a night at a hospice in Friuli, came into contact with Notting, the newly-elected bishop of Verona, and expounded to him his peculiar views. The bishop, apparently without saying much at the time, carried word to Hrabanus Maurus, who, meanwhile, had become archbishop of _Mainz; the latter lost no time in issuing two letters, one to his informant and another to count Eberhard of Friuli, in both of which he denounced the opinions of Gottschalk with some recklessness and great violence. On the one hand he accused his adversary of neglecting the distinction between foreknowledge and foreordination; on the other hand, he himself refused to recognize any difference between predestination to punishment and predestination to sin. At a synod held in Mainz In presence of the emperor, in 848, presented himself with a written explanation and defense of his views; he was, however, very summarily found guilty of heresy, and handed cyer to his ecclesiastical superior, Hincmar of Rheims, to be dealt with as his crime might deserve. Having again assumed
the defensive in an assembly at Chiersy in 849, he was once more condemned—on this occasion not only as a heretic, but also as a despiser of authority, and as a disturber of the church's peace—and sentenced to be .whipped severely and rigorously imprisoned. The place selected for his captivity was the monastery of Hautvilliers, in the diocese of Rhehns, and here he languished throughout the remainder of his life, a period of 20 years, notwithstanding the efforts of influential friends and his own pitiful appeals. l'rudentius of Troyes, Wenilo of Sens, and Floras of Lyons successively expressed opinions more or less in favor of his views; nor did Hincmar derive much real aid from the dialectical skill of Erigena, whom lie had called in as an authority on the other side. Various synods met, reached widely discrepant opinions on the burning question, and ultimately postponed its settlement to a future council in less troubled times. The summons of pope Nicholas I., in 863, calling Hincmar to account for his harsh con duct, unfortunately never took effect; and the result was that, after many renewed attempts at conviction and persuasion on the part of Gottschalk—he even proposed to settle the question by ordeal of fire—he was suffeired to die unheeded in 868, and by orders of his inhuman adversary was buried in unconsecrated ground. It may be added that Gottschalk had attempted to establish a. counter charge of heresy against Hincmar, on account of the latter's substitution of Sancta Dietas for Trina Dietas m a current hymn. This was thought to savor of Sabellianism; but the orthodox bishop succeeded at once in purging himself f,em such an imputation of heretical depravity. [Extracted from Eneyc. Brirannka, 9th Edit.]