Horizontal Learning in Medieval Italian Canonries

Abstract

In Italy, the organization of churches and worship evolved differently than other parts of Europe. From the sixth century onwards, Italian dioceses were further divided into districts of worship known as plebium , where the pastoral authority belonged to a baptismal church called pieve ( plebs ). Both the cathedral in the city and the pievi in the countryside were served by multiple clergy, called canons, who lived together in a residence ( domus or canonica ) attached to their church. This communal life facilitated horizontal learning among canons, while the liturgical services, and in particular the Divine Office, served as the major platform for the transmission of knowledge from experienced canons to those beginning their clerical career.