Page:Illustrations of the history of medieval thought and learning.djvu/181

Rh perplexed by fine-drawn interpretations (this is the account of an enemy), the utterances to which he had publicly committed himself at Poitiers. At Paris however denial was not sufficient. Adam of the Petit Pont, a practised logician who was specially noted for the petty jealousy of his temper, and Hugh of Champfleury, afterwards chancellor to the king of France and bishop of Soissons, came forward to declare the accuracy of the indictment against Gilbert, The latter on his side called witnesses, once his scholars, now fellow-bishops. He was confident in his orthodoxy, and overpowered the council by the subtilty of his distinctions. The judges demanded evidence which he could not traverse, his own book on Boëthius; but it was not to be found. Gilbert had it not with him, and his disciples thought it safer not to surrender it to the uncertain scrutiny of the council. Some extracts were however obtained, and Gilbert was confronted with them; but to no purpose. The pope declared himself baffled. Gilbert's explanations were so unsatisfactory, so violent, Geoffrey says, that it was deemed advisable to adjourn the council to a fresh meeting to be held at Rheims in the following year. Meanwhile Gottschalk, abbat of Saint Éloy, was entrusted with the extracts, which he was to furnish with annotations for future use; and Gilbert was enjoined to attend on the occasion named with his Commentary for examination.

At Rheims Bernard's friends assembled in greater force. Robert of Melun, Peter the Lombard, and other leaders of the schools of the day were there as advocates for the prosecution. But opinion was as much divided in respect of their motives as of the subject-matter of the charge.