Frederick Homes Dudden

“ Deaconries (offices of alms) and guest-houses were liberally endowed, and free distributions of food were made to the poor in the convents and basilicas. The funds for these and similar purposes were supplied from the Patrimony of St Peter—the papal estates in Italy, the adjacent islands, Gaul, Dalmatia and Africa. These extensive domains were usually administered by specially appointed agents,—rectors and defensors,—who resided on the spot; but the general superintendence devolved upon the pope. In this sphere Gregory manifested rare capacity. ”

“ It is therefore very improper that one man should be considered fit to discharge the duties of both, and that by this means the ecclesiastical order should interfere with the monastic life, and the rule of the monastic life in turn interfere with the interests of the churches. ”

“ J. Barmby, Gregory the Great (1892) ; T. Bonsmann, Gregor I. der Grosse, ein Lebensbild (1890) ; F. Homes Dudden, Gregory the Great: his place in History and Thought (2 vols., 1905) ; G. J. T. Lau, Gregor I. der Grosse nach seinem Leben und seiner Lehre geschildert (1845) ; C. Wolfsgruber, Gregor der Grosse (1897) . See also F. Gregorovius, Rome in the Middle Ages (Eng. trans.) ii. 16-103; T. Hodgkin, Italy and her Invaders, v. cc. 7-10; H. K. Mann, The Lives of the Popes, i. 1-250; F. W. Kellett, Pope Gregory the Great and his Relations with Gaul ”