The Revival of Monasticism

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The Revival of Monasticism
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The Foundation of Cluny

• Founded by William of Aquitaine, 910
• Independent of local lords and officials
• Abbot Odo (d. 942)
• Reformed use of Rule of St. Benedict
• All houses are priories
• 11th century, 1450 houses and around 10,000 monks
  (300 at mother house)

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Life at Cluny

• Elaborate artwork
• Manuscript illumination
• 24-hour chants
• Black robes

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Cluniac Attitudes

• Centers of village life
• Accept women
• Marcigny
• Generally pro-education and learning
• Peter the Venerable (1092-1156)
• Opposed violence of Crusades
• Not opposed to material wealth

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Church of La Madeleine de Vezelay
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Facade at La Madeleine de Vezelay
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Saint-Denis

• Traditional burial place of French kings
• Abbot Suger (1081-1151)
• Peasant parents
• Abbot, 1122
• Saw fortunes of abbey and of crown as being
  united
• Served as regent of France during 2nd crusade

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Abbot Suger stained glass from Saint-Denis
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Chalice of Abbot Suger sardonyx set in gilded
silver with pearls
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The Cistercians

• Robert of Molesmes, 1098, founds monastery of
  Citeaux
• Austere, severe ascetics
• Plain church architecture and simple manuscript
  styles
• White robes

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Abbey church of Cistercian abbey of Fontenay,
12th c.
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Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)

• Son of baronial family
• Mystic, devoted to virgin Mary
• Founded monastery of Clairvaux, 1115
• Preached second crusade, 1146

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Cistercian Attitudes

• Separation from society
• Sin is contagious
• No contact with lay nobility
• Strong misogynist streak
• Some anti-intellectualism