Richard wrote extensively (Migne's
Patrologia Latina contains 34 works attributed to him, and this is not Richard's full corpus). There are some problems with establishing the chronology of Richard's works. The earliest ones come before 1153, and the latest were written one or two years before his death. His earlier works are similar to the general teaching and writing of the period. His writing develops from basic exegesis, theology and philosophy to more of a study of purely spiritual questions. In his early writings he relies on the moral interpretations of previous theologians such as
Augustine of Hippo,
Bede,
Pope Gregory I and Hugh. He later became more independent and strayed from Hugh's influence. There is some debate between historians about which of Richard's texts are the most influential and important. Because Richard's work covers many spheres of thought it is somewhat difficult to categorise his work.
The Book of the Twelve Patriarchs, or Benjamin Minor The Book of the Twelve Patriarchs, sometimes titled
Benjamin Minor, is one of Richard of Saint Victor's great works on contemplation. It is not exactly known when it was written, but it would seem to date before 1162. Richard specifies that this work is not a treatise on contemplation but rather prepares the mind for contemplation.
The Mystical Ark, or Benjamin Major The Mystical Ark, sometimes called
Benjamin Major or
The Grace of Contemplation completes this with the study of the mind in relation to prayer. However, in the last chapters of
Benjamin Major, written later than the Minor, Richard almost abandons his topic and the discussion of the teaching of mystical theology takes up a good portion of every remaining chapter. He is still attempting to instruct his followers on a text but he has also engaged himself in creating a system of mystical theology.
De Trinitate One of Richard's greatest works was the
De Trinitate which was probably written while Richard was prior, between 1162 and 1173. This is known because it incorporates pieces of theological text which editors are now finding in earlier works.
De Trinitate is Richard's most independent and original study on
dogmatic theology. It stems from the desire to show that dogmatic truths of Christian revelation are ultimately not against reason. Richard's theological approach stems from a profoundly mystical life of prayer, which in the Spirit seeks to involve the mind, in continuation with the Augustinian and Anselmian tradition. Since this work was not available in any English translation until recently, its diffusion has been limited and its influence has seldom gone beyond 'Book III'. In 2011, the first full English translation of Richard's
De Trinitate was published by Ruben Angelici.
Other treatises and works Richard wrote a massive handbook of biblical education entitled
Liber Exceptionum (
Book of Selections/Book of Notes), important scriptural commentaries, and many treatises.
The Four Degrees of Violent Charity, composed about 1170, with its description of how vehement love leads to union with God and more perfect service of neighbour, has been of interest to writers interested in
Christian mysticism. Richard's other treatises are a number of short works which mainly deal with textual difficulties and theological issues. Many of them can be grouped together with larger works. Some of them are correspondence between Richard and his students while others seem to have been written at the request of friends. Although short, they are often interesting because they allow the modern reader to see the mentality of the students and the discussions and issues of the time. Richard of Saint Victor's
Commentary on Ezekiel is of special interest in the field of art history because the explanations laid out by the author are accompanied by illustrations. A number of copies have come down to us, none of which are dated, but they are written in a style attributable to the second half of the twelfth century. ==Historiographical contributions==