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Et totius Trinitatis/ nobile triclinium: The Fortune and Meaning of the Distich by Adam of Saint Victor
Abstract
Of the various pieces of prose and sequences of Adam of Saint Victor, two verses achieved lasting success as early as the twelfth century—perhaps with Aelred of Rievaulx, and certainly with Alain de Lille, Anthony of Padua, Étienne de Bourbon, Bonaventure, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas of Cantimpré, and many others—both in Latin and in the vernacular, as well as in the Cantigas attributed to King Alfonso X of Castile, known as “the Wise.” However, this widespread reception soon led to the detachment of these verses from their original context, which subtly yet significantly altered their original meaning. This study examines the meaning of the distich both in Adam’s own work and in its later reception, interpreting this transformation in light of broader trends that shaped Mariology in the final centuries of the Middle Ages. While Adam expresses the personal connection of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the three persons of the Trinity (Et totius Trinitatis/ nobile triclinium), he simultaneously emphasizes her more intimate and particular relationship with the Incarnate Word (Verbi tamen incarnati speciale maiestati praeparans hospitium). Over time, this nuance fades in later texts, where authors retain only the triple relationship of Mary with the three divine persons. However, an analysis of the sequence reveals that Adam’s primary objective was to highlight her special relationship with the Son. This shift reflects a broader evolution in Marian literature. In the last three or four centuries of the Middle Ages, the Virgin Mary was increasingly praised independently of the mystery of the Incarnation, raising the risk of separating Mariology from Christology. In this context, it is all the more significant that Adam sought to maintain a balance between these two perspectives, allowing one to correct the other. In doing so, he aligned perfectly with the Victorine tradition. While his work gave voice to emerging theological tendencies of his time, the masters of Saint-Victor sought to counterbalance them by grounding their thought firmly in the Church’s earliest tradition, striving to preserve the harmonious equilibrium of the Christian mystery.
Keywords:
Adam of Saint Victor, liturgical poetry, Latin medieval literature, Mariology, Trinitarian theologyDetails
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