“All glory laud and honor, to thee Redeemer, King…” (hymn, ca. 818)

Louis the Pious, who imprisoned Bishop Theodulf.

Life, which has cast both smiles and frowns on Theodulf, now frowns. He is facing imprisonment in the year 818. As a refugee from Spain, which was overrun by Moorish conquerors in the 8th century, Theodulf had made his way to Italy where he became an abbot, and from there to the court of Charlemagne.

Charlemagne, always on the lookout for men of literary talent, appointed him Bishop of Orleans. Theodulf wrote poems and epitaphs for state occasions. He served as scholar, church reformer, educator, and theological advisor to the Frankish emperor. His writings included sermons and theological treatises on baptism and the Holy Spirit. He opposed the use of icons and revised the text of the Bible at the emperor’s demand. But Charlemagne proved to be as mortal as the rest of mankind; and following his death in 814, his sons squabbled over his empire, which began to tear apart.

Now, in 818, one of these sons, Louis the Pious, suspects Theodulf of conniving with an Italian rival. He strips Theodulf of his honors and orders him to a monastery in Angiers, on the River Maine.

The walls of Saint-Aubin seal him in. Lost to him is his personal estate at Germigny. Lost is the chapel he built there. No more will he be called to direct the church or write epitaphs for the imperial court.

But there is a greater Emperor far, to whom he can appeal and from whom earthly rulers can never deny him access. He need never lose this other emperor’s favor. Walls cannot shut out this Emperor. However much Theodulf bemoans the injustice done him, he can still laud the King of Kings. In his monastic cell, Theodulf’s pen scratches the verses of one of the greatest paeans ever written to our Savior:

“All glory, laud and honor,
to Thee, redeemer king
To whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.”

Within four years of the start of his imprisonment, Theodulf dies. But a thousand years later, in translation, his hymn will remain a favorite in the church’s Palm Sunday festivities.

—Dan Graves