Robert of Torigni was a Norman monk, prior, abbot and an important twelfth century chronicler.
Background
He was born at Torigni-sur-Vire, Normandy c.1110 most probably to an aristocratic family but his family name was abandoned when he entered Bec Abbey in 1128 In 1149 Robert of Torigni became the prior of Bec replacing Roger de Bailleul who had by that time become abbot.
Career
In 1154 Robert became the abbot of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy. In November of 1158 Robert hosted kings Louis VII of France and Henry II of England at Mont Saint-Michel. Three years later Robert de Torigni, along with Achard of Saint Victor, Bishop of Avranches, stood as sponsors (Godfathers) to Eleanor, born to Henry II of England and Queen Eleanor at Domfront in 1161.
In 1163 he was in Rome.
He was also known to have visited England representing Mont Saint-Michel. In 1876 a lead disc was found in his coffin bearing his epitaph.
The translation reads: Here lies Robert Torigni, abbot of this place, who ruled the monastery 32 years, and lived 80 years. Robert himself was called "The Great Librarian of the Mont".
Robert"s principal interest was not so much in man"s path to salvation, or in the moral lessons of history.
lieutenant was in what he called "chronography" (organizing historical events in chronological order). He made no attempts to interpret history but wrote plainly "without a trace of romance in his soul." Stevenson said, however, Torigni was not always correct in his chronology and made errors even in matters in Normandy of which he should have known better, yet he was always honest and truthful and his mistakes did not greatly affect the overall value of his chronicle. Modern writers too have pointed out errors in his work.
And where he has given confusing or conflicting accounts.
Then Delisle wrote that it was through Robert"s affection for Henry II that he made almost no mention in his chronicle of the death of Thomas Becket or Henry II"s involvement.