Conflicts between Hermits and Clerics in Visigothic Spain: A Change of the Model of Authority?

The article analyses the so-called “autobiographical” works of Valerius of Bierzo, a hermit and monk who lived at the end of the 7th century in the mountains of Galicia in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. One of the main motifs of his works is the confrontation between Valerius and the clergy (presbyters and the bishop). Scholars explain these conflicts by the rivalry between Valerius and the clergy for the leadership in the Christian community. The author carries out a detailed examination of the reasons for each of Valerius’ conflicts with the representatives of the church and monastic hierarchy, and also studies those methods and techniques that he used to apply when portraying his opponents.