Philip of Harveng

Philip of Harveng was a twelfth-century Premonstratensian and abbot of Bonne-Espérance Abbey in Hainault, and a theological writer.

Biblical commentary

His Responsio de damnatione Salomonis addressed the puzzling biblical behaviour of Solomon. He invented novel schemes of history from the Book of Daniel in his Dream of Nebuchadnezzar
, varying the pattern of the four monarchies.

Augustinian theology

His life of Augustine of Hippo was celebrated and influential. Drawing on Possidius, he also makes Augustine presage the regular canons. Associating the phrase docere verbo et exemplo with the clerical life, in his De institutione clericorum, he put an emphasis on preaching. In the same work he argued in favour of social order.

Other works

He wrote much hagiography, including a life of St. Foillan. Surviving letters to Philip, Count of Flanders and Henry I, Count of Champagne argue for knightly patronage of learning.