Jacques de Vitry was one of the most successful preachers and storytellers of his age. Although in many ways a staunch defender of traditional values in the medieval church, Jacques helped to revolutionize preaching by his attention to the needs of the audience. He was an effective listener, incorporating in his spiritual writings tales and themes alive in the popular oral tradition.

Jacques was probably born in Vitry-en-Perthois (or Vitry-le-Brulé), a small town in Champagne. Since he is known to have been a student at the Parisian cathedral school of Notre Dame in 1187 and a “master” by 1193, scholars assume Jacques de Vitry was born between 1160 and 1170. His main teacher at Paris must have been Peter the Chanter, one of the most innovative theologians of the era. At some time during his advanced studies at the nascent University of Paris, Jacques be-came acquainted with Marie, a laywoman known...