Bernard of Thiron
Encyclopedia
Bernard of Thiron, also known as Bernard of Ponthieu and Bernard of Abbeville, was the founder of the Tiron Abbey and the Tironensian Order.
in 1046. He remained there until the age of 12, before leaving for Aquitaine
. Accepted at the monastery of Saint Cyprien, near Poitiers
, by the Abbott Renault. He remained there many years, before being made abbot
of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe
. The longing for the life of a hermit
and a dispute with monks of Cluny Order
, eventually led to him offering his resignation to Pope Urban II
, which was accepted.
, in the region of Saint-Mars-sur-la-Futaie
. He lived as such for short period of time before being discovered by fellow monks from Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe. Unwilling to return to his previous post Bernard fled to the island of Chausey
. There he braved harsh conditions and lived in a cave, before finally listening to his former companions, Bernard returned to the mainland, settling in Gehard Fontaine (modern day Châtillon-sur-Colmont
). There he gained many followers to his hermit way of life, including Adelelmus of Flanders
. The community grew into a centre for hermits, with many building cells around his. Bernard fame grew eventually gaining the attention of the Saint Cyprien Monastery. Abbott Renault then called for Bernard to return to the monastery bringing with him his new followers. Bernard returned and resumed the habit as well as being appointed Renault's successor.
to Rome
. There they argued their claims against those of the Cluny Order
. Once again Bernard was led to retirement first returning to Chausey
, before settling in Fougeres
. By the early 12th century, Bernard had once again established a large community of followers, which made life as a hermit impossible. Bernard led his followers to the Savigny Abbey
, where Vitalis of Savigny took them under his care, allowing Bernard to return to his life as hermit. From there he lived in the court of Rotrou III of Perche
, who offered him a forest not from the town of Thiron
where, by 1109, Bernard had established a primitive monastery
dedicated to St. Anne. Due to disputes with the neighbouring Cluniac monastery
of Saint-Denis de Nogent le Rotrou, Bernard left his post with the permission of Bishop Ivo of Chartres. Bernard, with the aid of donations from the kings and nobles of France
, England
and Scotland
, established the Abbey of the Holy Trinity of Tiron in 1114. From here Bernard founded the Tironensian Order, based on a strict observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict and an emphasis on manual labour. He remained there until his death in 1117.
Early life
Born near AbbevilleAbbeville
Abbeville is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Location:Abbeville is located on the Somme River, from its modern mouth in the English Channel, and northwest of Amiens...
in 1046. He remained there until the age of 12, before leaving for Aquitaine
Aquitaine
Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes...
. Accepted at the monastery of Saint Cyprien, near Poitiers
Poitiers
Poitiers is a city on the Clain river in west central France. It is a commune and the capital of the Vienne department and of the Poitou-Charentes region. The centre is picturesque and its streets are interesting for predominant remains of historical architecture, especially from the Romanesque...
, by the Abbott Renault. He remained there many years, before being made abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe
Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe
The Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe is located in Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, in Poitou, France.-Description:The Romanesque church was begun in the mid 11th century and contains many beautiful 11th- and 12th-century murals which are still in a remarkable state of preservation...
. The longing for the life of a hermit
Hermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
and a dispute with monks of Cluny Order
Cluniac Reforms
The Cluniac Reforms were a series of changes within medieval monasticism of West focused on restoring the traditional monastic life, encouraging art, and caring for the poor. The movement is named for the Abbey of Cluny in Burgundy, where it started within the Benedictine order. The reforms were...
, eventually led to him offering his resignation to Pope Urban II
Pope Urban II
Pope Urban II , born Otho de Lagery , was Pope from 12 March 1088 until his death on July 29 1099...
, which was accepted.
Life as a Hermit
Bernard began his life as a hermit under the assumed name of William, through his own choice chose a church dedicated to Saint MedardusMedardus
Saint Medardus was the Bishop of Vermandois who removed the seat of the diocese to Noyon....
, in the region of Saint-Mars-sur-la-Futaie
Saint-Mars-sur-la-Futaie
Saint Mars sur la Futaie is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France. It is notable as the site of the oldest known tree in France, a Hawthorn growing alongside the church, and reputedly planted in the 3rd century.-References:*...
. He lived as such for short period of time before being discovered by fellow monks from Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe. Unwilling to return to his previous post Bernard fled to the island of Chausey
Chausey
Chausey is a group of small islands, islets and rocks off the coast of Normandy, in the English Channel. It lies from Granville, and forms a quartier of the Granville commune, in the Manche département...
. There he braved harsh conditions and lived in a cave, before finally listening to his former companions, Bernard returned to the mainland, settling in Gehard Fontaine (modern day Châtillon-sur-Colmont
Châtillon-sur-Colmont
Châtillon-sur-Colmont is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France.-See also:*Communes of the Mayenne department...
). There he gained many followers to his hermit way of life, including Adelelmus of Flanders
Adelelmus of Flanders
Adelelmus was a hermit and disciple of St. Bernard of Thiron. Born in Flanders, Belgium, Aldelelmus is best known for founding the monastery of Etival-en-Charnie.-References:...
. The community grew into a centre for hermits, with many building cells around his. Bernard fame grew eventually gaining the attention of the Saint Cyprien Monastery. Abbott Renault then called for Bernard to return to the monastery bringing with him his new followers. Bernard returned and resumed the habit as well as being appointed Renault's successor.
Later Life and founding of Tiron Abbey
As the Abbott of the Saint Cyprien Monastery, Bernard ordered the monks to make a pilgrimagePilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey or search of great moral or spiritual significance. Typically, it is a journey to a shrine or other location of importance to a person's beliefs and faith...
to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. There they argued their claims against those of the Cluny Order
Cluniac Reforms
The Cluniac Reforms were a series of changes within medieval monasticism of West focused on restoring the traditional monastic life, encouraging art, and caring for the poor. The movement is named for the Abbey of Cluny in Burgundy, where it started within the Benedictine order. The reforms were...
. Once again Bernard was led to retirement first returning to Chausey
Chausey
Chausey is a group of small islands, islets and rocks off the coast of Normandy, in the English Channel. It lies from Granville, and forms a quartier of the Granville commune, in the Manche département...
, before settling in Fougeres
Fougères
Fougères is a commune and a sub-prefecture of the Ille-et-Vilaine department in Brittany, in north-western France.-Sights:Fougères' major monument is a medieval stronghold built atop a granite ledge, which was part of the ultimately unsuccessful defence system of the Duchy of Brittany against...
. By the early 12th century, Bernard had once again established a large community of followers, which made life as a hermit impossible. Bernard led his followers to the Savigny Abbey
Savigny Abbey
Savigny Abbey was a monastery near the village of Savigny-le-Vieux , in northern France. It was founded early in the 12th century. Initially it was the central house of the Congregation of Savigny, who were Benedictines; by 1150 it was Cistercian.-History:It was situated on the confines of...
, where Vitalis of Savigny took them under his care, allowing Bernard to return to his life as hermit. From there he lived in the court of Rotrou III of Perche
Rotrou III of Perche
Rotrou III , called the Great , was the Count of Perche and Mortagne from 1099. He was a notable Crusader and a participant in the Reconquista in eastern Spain, even ruling the city of Tudela in Navarre from 1123 to 1131. He is commonly credited with introducing Arabian horses to the Perche, giving...
, who offered him a forest not from the town of Thiron
Thiron Gardais
Thiron Gardais is a commune in the Eure-et-Loir department in northern France. The Tiron Abbey is located in the commune.-Population:-References:*...
where, by 1109, Bernard had established a primitive monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
dedicated to St. Anne. Due to disputes with the neighbouring Cluniac monastery
Cluniac Reforms
The Cluniac Reforms were a series of changes within medieval monasticism of West focused on restoring the traditional monastic life, encouraging art, and caring for the poor. The movement is named for the Abbey of Cluny in Burgundy, where it started within the Benedictine order. The reforms were...
of Saint-Denis de Nogent le Rotrou, Bernard left his post with the permission of Bishop Ivo of Chartres. Bernard, with the aid of donations from the kings and nobles of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, established the Abbey of the Holy Trinity of Tiron in 1114. From here Bernard founded the Tironensian Order, based on a strict observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict and an emphasis on manual labour. He remained there until his death in 1117.