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Excerpt from The Love of Books: The Philobiblon of Richard de Bury, by Richard de Bury

The Author of the Book.

Richard de Bury (1281-1345), so called from being born near Bury St.
Edmunds, was the son of Sir Richard Aungerville. He studied at Oxford;
and was subsequently chosen to be tutor to Prince Edward of Windsor,
afterwards Edward III. His loyalty to the cause of Queen Isabella and
the Prince involved him in danger. On the accession of his pupil he
was made successively Cofferer, Treasurer of the Wardrobe, Archdeacon
of Northampton, Prebendary of Lincoln, Sarum, and Lichfield, Keeper of
the Privy Purse, Ambassador on two occasions to Pope John XXII, who
appointed him a chaplain of the papal chapel, Dean of Wells, and
ultimately, at the end of the year 1333, Bishop of Durham; the King and
Queen, the King of Scots, and all the magnates north of the Trent,
together with a multitude of nobles and many others, were present at
his enthronization. It is noteworthy that during his stay at Avignon,
probably in 1330, he made the acquaintance of Petrarch, who has left us
a brief account of their intercourse. In 1332 Richard visited
Cambridge, as one of the King's commissioners, to inquire into the
state of the King's Scholars there, and perhaps then became a member of
the Gild of St. Mary--one of the two gilds which founded Corpus Christi
College.

In 1334 he became High Chancellor of England, and Treasurer in 1336,
resigning the former office in 1335, so that he might help the King in
dealing with affairs abroad and in Scotland, and took a most
distinguished part in diplomatic negociations between England and
France. In 1339 he was again in his bishopric. Thereafter his name
occurs often among those appointed to treat of peace with Philip of
France, and with Bruce of Scotland. It appears that he was not in
Parliament in 1344. Wasted by long sickness--longa infirmitate
decoctus--on the 14th of April, 1345, Richard de Bury died at Auckland,
and was buried in Durham Cathedral.

Explanation ​

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from The Love of Books: The Philobiblon by Richard de Bury ​

This passage is not an excerpt from The Philobiblon itself but rather a biographical preface about its author, Richard de Bury (1281–1345), likely written by a later editor or translator. The Philobiblon (Greek for "The Love of Books") is a medieval treatise celebrating books, libraries, and the joys of reading, composed in Latin around 1344–1345. It is one of the earliest known works in Europe dedicated entirely to bibliophilia (the love of books) and serves as both a personal reflection and a scholarly defense of the value of books in an age when literacy was still a rare and prized skill.

Below is a breakdown of the context, themes, literary significance, and stylistic features of this biographical passage, with an emphasis on how it frames the reader’s understanding of The Philobiblon.

1. Context of the Passage: Who Was Richard de Bury? ​

This introduction provides a historical and intellectual biography of Richard de Bury, establishing his credentials as a scholar, clergyman, diplomat, and book collector. Key details include:

  • Birth & Early Life: Born near Bury St. Edmunds (hence "de Bury"), he was the son of a knight, indicating noble lineage.
  • Education: Studied at Oxford, a center of medieval learning, which would have exposed him to classical, theological, and philosophical texts.
  • Royal Connections: Served as tutor to Prince Edward (later Edward III), which granted him access to power and patronage. His loyalty to Queen Isabella (who played a major role in deposing Edward II) suggests political acumen.
  • Ecclesiastical Career: Held multiple high-ranking church positions, including Bishop of Durham (one of the wealthiest and most powerful bishoprics in England). His enthronization was a grand affair, attended by kings and nobles, underscoring his influence.
  • Diplomatic Role: Served as High Chancellor of England and ambassador to Pope John XXII, engaging in international politics (including negotiations with France and Scotland).
  • Intellectual Connections: Met Petrarch (the Italian humanist and poet) in Avignon (1330), a key figure in the Renaissance revival of classical learning. This meeting suggests Richard’s engagement with the humanist movement, which valued ancient texts.
  • Death & Legacy: Died in 1345 (possibly from illness) and was buried in Durham Cathedral, a fitting resting place for a bishop and scholar.

Why does this matter for The Philobiblon? Richard’s multifaceted career—scholar, bishop, diplomat—reveals that The Philobiblon was not written by a recluse but by a man of action who saw books as essential to governance, faith, and culture. His access to power and wealth allowed him to amass one of the largest private libraries of his time, which he describes in his work.

2. Themes in the Passage (and Their Relevance to The Philobiblon) ​

While this is a biographical sketch, it foreshadows key themes in The Philobiblon:

A. The Intersection of Power and Knowledge ​

  • Richard’s roles as chancellor, diplomat, and bishop show that he operated at the nexus of church, state, and scholarship.
  • The Philobiblon argues that books are tools of governance—essential for rulers, clergy, and scholars. His own life embodies this idea: he used his political influence to acquire books and his books to inform his politics.

B. The Medieval Book Culture ​

  • The mention of Oxford, Cambridge, and papal connections places Richard in a network of medieval learning.
  • The Philobiblon is partly a defense of book collecting at a time when manuscripts were expensive, rare, and labor-intensive to produce. His ability to gather books reflects his wealth and connections.

C. Humanism Before the Renaissance ​

  • His meeting with Petrarch is significant. Petrarch is often called the "Father of Humanism" for his revival of classical texts.
  • The Philobiblon shares this humanist spirit—it celebrates ancient wisdom (Greek, Roman, and early Christian works) and laments the loss of knowledge due to neglect.
  • Richard’s work can be seen as a bridge between medieval scholasticism and Renaissance humanism.

D. Mortality and the Legacy of Books ​

  • The passage ends with his death and burial in Durham Cathedral, a reminder of human transience.
  • The Philobiblon frequently contrasts the fragility of human life with the eternity of books. Richard’s own library was his lasting monument.

3. Literary Devices & Style in the Passage ​

Though this is a biographical summary, it employs techniques that mirror the style of The Philobiblon:

A. Cataloguing & Enumeration ​

  • The passage lists Richard’s titles and achievements in a rhythmic, accumulative manner (e.g., "Cofferer, Treasurer of the Wardrobe, Archdeacon of Northampton, Prebendary of Lincoln...").
  • The Philobiblon similarly catalogues books, authors, and virtues of reading in long, litany-like passages, creating a sense of abundance and reverence.

B. Latin Phrases for Authority ​

  • The use of "longa infirmitate decoctus" (wasted by long sickness) adds a scholarly, Latinate tone, reinforcing Richard’s erudition.
  • The Philobiblon is filled with Latin quotations and classical references, positioning it as a work of high learning.

C. Contrast Between Worldly Power and Intellectual Pursuits ​

  • The passage juxtaposes Richard’s political career (war, diplomacy, wealth) with his intellectual passions (meeting Petrarch, founding a college).
  • The Philobiblon often contrasts the fleeting nature of worldly power with the permanent value of books.

4. Significance of the Passage for Understanding The Philobiblon ​

This biography sets the stage for reading The Philobiblon by:

  1. Establishing Richard’s Credibility

    • He was not just a book lover but a man of action—his praise of books carries weight because he used them in real governance.

  2. Highlighting the Rarity of Books in the 14th Century

    • His ability to collect books was exceptional—most people, even nobles, had very few manuscripts. His work is a testament to the value placed on knowledge.

  3. Connecting Medieval and Renaissance Thought

    • His interaction with Petrarch shows that The Philobiblon is part of a larger intellectual shift toward humanism and textual preservation.

  4. Framing the Work as a Legacy

    • Knowing he died soon after writing it adds pathos—The Philobiblon becomes his final testament to the power of books.

5. Key Takeaways for the Reader ​

  • The Philobiblon is not just a book about books—it’s a manifesto by a scholar-statesman who believed literature was essential to civilization.
  • Richard’s life story (politics, diplomacy, faith) mirrors the themes of his work: books as tools for power, wisdom, and immortality.
  • The medieval context is crucial—books were precious, handwritten objects, and owning a library was a sign of prestige and piety.
  • His meeting with Petrarch foreshadows the Renaissance’s obsession with classical revival, making The Philobiblon a transitional work between medieval and early modern thought.

Final Thought: Why Does This Matter Today? ​

Richard de Bury’s Philobiblon remains relevant because it celebrates the enduring power of books in an age of digital information overload. His passion for collecting, preserving, and sharing knowledge resonates with modern librarians, scholars, and book lovers. The biography reminds us that great works often come from those who live between worlds—Richard was a bishop and a diplomat, a medieval man with Renaissance ideals, and his love of books transcended his time.

Would you like a deeper analysis of a specific section from The Philobiblon itself?