Abstract

The capture and imprisonment of the young Thomas Aquinas is illustrated on the basis of a synoptic reading of the 13th and 14th century sources passed down to us. All of these sources are, to a certain degree, compromised by hagiographic additions. The embellishments and potential contradictions may be explained by the varying intentions on the part of the authors, as well as by the typology of the sources from which those documents were produced. This, however, does not render the efforts of historical research in vain. Practical implications and aspects may be deciphered through a reflection on the hagiographic, biographic and historiographic subtleties and nuances found in the various narratives.