John of Fécamp

John of Fécamp, (early 11th century - 22 February 1079) was an Italian-Norman Benedictine who was the most widely read of early medieval spiritual writers before the Imitation of Christ became popular (published circa 1418–1427),[1] during a period called the Golden Age of Monasticism and of Scholasticism,[2][3] and the height of the Papacy.

At some point in the early 11th century, John left his homeland (where it is possible he had lived for some time as a hermit) and travelled to France, probably at the invitation of his compatriot and uncle William of Volpiano.

When in 1017 William was commissioned to reform the Abbey of Fécamp and to establish there a colony of Benedictine monks by becoming abbot there, John again accompanied him.

As Abbot of St. Bénigne John had been brought into close relations with the Emperor Henry III (after 1038 also King of Burgundy) and with his spouse, Agnes of Poitiers.

After Henry's death his widow placed herself under the spiritual guidance of the abbot, and for her John composed a series of ascetical works.

John also wrote Meditationes (Meditations), excerpts of which circulated widely in the later Middle Ages, under the names of more famous writers.

It is only therefore in recent times that it has been acknowledged that until the spread of the Imitation of Christ at the end of the Middle Ages he was one of the most widely read spiritual writers.