Espence, Claude Togniel de
ESPENCE, CLAUDE TOGNIEL DE
Theologian; b. Châlons-sur-Marne, 1511; d. Paris, Oct. 4, 1571. He was rector of the Sorbonne in 1540. Because of his rich qualities he was named in 1544 by Francis I to the theological commission established to prepare agenda for the Council of trent, to which he was sent in 1547 as the representative of Henry II. In 1561 he took part in the religious colloquium at Poissy, and because of his spirit of moderation and conciliation was attacked by Protestants and Catholics alike. His most important works were: De eucharistia eiusque adoratione (Paris 1573), Institution du prince chrétien (Paris 1548), Traicté contre l'erreur vieil et renouvelé des prédestinés (Paris 1548).
Bibliography: h. hurter, Nomenclator literarius theologiae catholicae (3d ed. Innsbruck 1903–13) 3:17–19. a. humbert, Dictionnaire de théologie catholique, a. vacant et al. (Paris 1903–50) 5.1:603–605. h. m. fÉret, Catholicisme. Hier, aujourd'hui et demain, ed. g. jacquemet (Paris 1947–) 4:445–446. a. bigelmair, Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche, ed. j. hofer and k. rahner (2d, new ed. Freiburg 1957–65) 3:1107.
[j. h. miller]