Saint of the Day – 1 June – St Peter of Pisa (744–799) Deacon, Hermi,

Saint of the Day – 1 June – St Peter of Pisa (744–799) Deacon, Hermi, Poet, Linguist, Grammartician. Peter was born in Lombardy, in the first half of the 8th Century and died there too, around 799. Also known as – Petrus, Petrus Grammaticus.

We have little personal information of Peter. All we know is that in 776, after Charlemagne’s conquest of the Lombard Kingdom, Peter was summoned to the Carolingian Court along with Paul the Deacon and St Alcuin of York.

Peter had originally taught at Pavia, in Italy. Peter of Pisa was asked to be Charlemagne’s primary Latin teacher. Peter’s poetry provides a personal look at the workings of the innermost sanctum surrounding Charlemagne. Peter’s grammar texts provide insight into the transformation Latin education underwent in this period.

Already a mature man, he was Charlemagne’s honoured guest for several years and an integral part of his learned Court circle . Another Lombardian Saint Paulinus of Aquilrisa (c726-802) Priest, Theologian and a most eminent Scholar also joined our Peter in Charlemagne’s Court of learned teachers.

A close bond existed between Charlemagne and Peter and between Peter and Paulinus but Peter apparently was not much liked by either Einhard or St Alcuin of York. Peter seems to have been proud of Paulinus’ intellectual superiority over the others, including himself. He instructed Charlemagne in Latin grammar and probably read the Latin authors with him. Einhard mentions this fact and describes Peter as elderly.

It seems likely that both Peter and Paulinus brought manuscripts from Italy which kept Carolingian scribes busy for many years.

Like Paul the Deacon, Peter was important as a grammartician. In a manner typical of the 8th Century, he illustrated his teaching with writings of ancient pagan and Christian authors. His Book on Grammar is preceded by a dedication in elegiac verse stating that the work was composed “by Peter for love of his lord” and praising Charlesmagne as the Conqueror of the Lombards, builder of Churches, Converter of heathen and punisher of evildoers.

Peter returned to Italy around 790, where he lived as a hermit in prayer and fasting, seeking the Lord in solitude. Peter died there he in 799.