Ivo of Chartres - Writings

Writings

Ivo of Chartres was a prolific writer but is most recognized for his canonical works titled, Decretum (seventeen books in length) and two collections attributed to him, the Tripartita (very substantial material, divided in three parts) and the Panormia (eight books in length). All three deal primarily with ecclesiastical canon law and the issue of Paul's version of caritas, or love within the Christian faith. His works are filled with the issues of charitable love and dispensation in a pastoral manner within the Holy See. He felt that that caritas was the answer to sin, not harsh punishment without any remorse. This theme is most evident in his prologue, which is most often compared to the teachings and writings of the church fathers than the scholars of his day. Paul in particular and his message of loving your fellow man as you would yourself is what are most prevalent in Ivo of Chartres' written words. This is best captured in the quote taken from Vaughan and Rubinstein's book, Teaching & Learning in Northern Europe 100-1200, "He was called to teach. His lesson was love. It was all that mattered." (pp. 147).

However, Ivo of Chartres was not just known for his two books but also his 288 letters of correspondence. These letters often dealt with issues of liturgy, canonical matters and dogmatic issues, and, much like his other works, dealt with caritas. It has also been suggested that his ideas on doctrines influenced the final agreement in the Concordant of Worms (1122).

Several of his sermons (twenty-five in total) deal with much of the same things detailed in his canon law collections and his letters.