BERNWARD, Saint, bishop of Hildes beim: b. about 950; d. 20 Nov. 1022. He was equally distinguished in theology and art, de voting himself to painting, gold and mosaic work. About 988 he was charged by the Em press Theophania, widow of Otho II, to under take the education of her seven-year-old son Otho III, in conjunction with Gerbert (after ward Pope Sylvester II). Bernveard taught the young king mathematics; the actual man ual which he composed for these lessons is still preserved in the cathedral at Hildesheim. The Empress Regent had some years before brought a colony of Byzantine artists and craftsmen f rout Constantinople. These were settled in Germany, some building churches and others engaging in painting and enameling. Bernward industri ously studied their methods and, from the time he was consecrated bishop (7 Dec. 992) he divided his labors between the administration of his diocese and of converting his episcopal town into a flourishing artistic and literary centre. One of his predecessors had begun the construction of the cathedral, and a large stock of golden ingots and precious stones had been accumulated. These the bishop proceeded
to utilize for the ornamentation of his church; he melted the gold and fashioned it into decora tions, set the stones himself, painted and enameled, and drew architectural designs. He equally cultivated literature; he founded a school for copyists and himself prepared the original manuscripts for them to work from. He also traveled in France and Italy, often taking parties of his pupils with him for their enlightenment. This versatile prelate, whose life has aptly been described as one of the most remarkable biographical monuments of the Middle Ages, combined the functions of priest, teacher, artist and diplomat. He even built the fortifications of Hildesheim, and on at least one occasion accompanied a military expedition in war. He was canonized in 1194, or 172 years after his death.