I. Life

Born in Aosta, northern Italy, Anselm entered the monastery of Bec (Normandy) after an education in France. In 1063 he replaced Lanfranc as principal teacher and prior. In 1078 he succeeded Herluin as Abbot at Bec. Against his inclination he was chosen in 1093 to be archbishop of Canterbury. King William II's (Rufus) reluctance to recognize Urban II as pope meant that Anselm was unable to receive his pallium until 1095. The cont…