Today, only one of Theodulf’s poems is still well-known, even though the author is seldom remembered. Translated into English by the 19th-century Anglican clergyman John Mason Neale, “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” has become a favorite hymn for Palm Sunday. The circumstances that led to the writing of this hymn are not clear. Many believe Theodulf wrote it after he was deposed, in 818, as a suspect in a plot against the new emperor Louis the Pious.

Theodulf of Orleans – Poet and Theologian in the Carolingian Court

Theodulf belonged to the group of bright minds Charlemagne gathered at his court in order to boost education in his empire. Born in a Visigothic family, probably in Spain, around the year 750, he is named after the French city where he became bishop, Orleans.

At Charlemagne’s court, Theodulf distinguished himself as a scholar, theologian, pastor, and poet, while exhibiting valuable organizational skills.

Theologian

As theologian, Theodulf is mostly remembered for his firm stand against the worship of images. He is considered the main author of the Opus Caroli Regis contra synodum (Work by King Charles against the synod), used by Charlemagne to oppose the decisions on icons taken by the 787 Council of Nicaea (also known as II Nicaea).

In reality, Charlemagne was not completely against the presence of images in churches. What he strongly opposed as unscriptural and idolatrous was the worship of images which, due to an error in translation, he thought II Nicaea was promoting.

This was a time when a translator’s mistake may have worked for the best, because it spurred Theodulf to raise a body of clear objections to images that was later resumed by other Reformers. (Unlike later Reformers, Theodulf never went as far as saying that images should be removed from churches. He recognized their artistic and even didactical value, but believed Scriptures should have prominence).

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