Gottschalk

Gottschalk, or Goteschalcus Fulgentius, the son of a Saxon count, was born about 808 A.D., and trained at Fulda for monastic life. As he grew up he tried to free himself from this career, but only succeeded in getting transferred to the French monastery of Orbais. Here he became an ardent student of the doctrines of Augustine. His views caused him to be cited before two synods, and he was sentenced to be whipped and imprisoned for life as a heretic and a disturber of the peace of the Churem. For twenty years he languished in confinement at Hautvilliers, near Rheims, Hincmar, the Archbishop, being his chief enemy. Though the question that he raised provoked dire controversy and still remains unsettled, Gottschalk, in spite of his entreaties and the influence of powerful friends, including the Pope, was never released, and on his death was buried in unconsecrated ground.