Robert Holcot

Robert Holcot, also known by the epithet 'Doctor firmus et indefatigabilis' (the "strong and tireless doctor"), was an English Dominican scholastic philosopher and theologian of the 14th century. Born around 1290 in Holcot, Northamptonshire, he died in 1349, likely from the Black Death. Holcot was a follower of William of Ockham and made substantial contributions to various fields of philosophy and theology. His work addressed significant debates concerning semantics, God's foreknowledge of future contingent events, predestination, grace, and merit. While his modern influence may be limited, his impact during the late Middle Ages was considerable, as evidenced by the numerous manuscripts of his writings that have survived. His commentary on the Book of Wisdom, 'Lectiones super librum Sapientiae', was particularly influential and has been identified as a source for Chaucer's 'Nun's Priest's Tale'. Despite the publication of his commentary on the Sentences in 1497, the manuscripts used for that edition were considered unreliable, and it remains the only edition available today. Holcot was still being read in the 16th century, with the theologian Jacques Almain engaging with his opinions.