Abstract

The major work of Gilbert of Tournai is intriguingly titled with a double name: "Rudimentum/ Erudimentum Doctrinae." In the preface, Gilbert mentions this dual designation but does not provide further clarification on its significance. This issue has mostly gone unnoticed, yet the rarity of the term "erudimentum" warrants a deeper examination beyond the assumption of a mere paronomastic play. Therefore, this paper first aims to explore the meanings associated with the term and then to understand its significance concerning with the whole title of Gilbert's work and his programmatic intentions. Additionally, it will consider the only known precedent he may have drawn from, which is the "Elementarium Doctrinae (E)rudimentum" by Papias. For various reasons, the title of Papias's work has also sparked considerable debate among scholars. However, a comparison of the most authoritative versions of the "Elementarium," provided in the appendix, offers a definitive resolution regarding the actual title of this lexicon.