Bernard of Vienne
Encyclopedia
Saint Bernard was bishop of Vienne from 810 until his death.
Before his monastic career, Bernard was a soldier under Charlemagne
. Death of his mother and father after 7 years of his military service had deep impact on Bernard and caused him to spent all his wealth on charity
purposes, dividing it into three parts: for the Church, for the poor, for his children. He bought the monastery in Ambronay
and became Abbot. In 810, after resistance, he became Archbishop of Vienne.
Bernard, like many other clerics, supported the unity of the Frankish Empire
. He took a position for Lothair I
against his father Louis the Pious
, for which he was deposed in the Synod of Thionville
. This was never carried out.
Towards the end of his life, he enjoyed retiring to a spot on the banks of the Isere River, where the town of Romans
is today.
Before his monastic career, Bernard was a soldier under Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
. Death of his mother and father after 7 years of his military service had deep impact on Bernard and caused him to spent all his wealth on charity
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
purposes, dividing it into three parts: for the Church, for the poor, for his children. He bought the monastery in Ambronay
Ambronay
Ambronay is a commune in the Ain department in the Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France. It is situated some north of Ambérieu-en-Bugey.-Abbey:...
and became Abbot. In 810, after resistance, he became Archbishop of Vienne.
Bernard, like many other clerics, supported the unity of the Frankish Empire
Frankish Empire
Francia or Frankia, later also called the Frankish Empire , Frankish Kingdom , Frankish Realm or occasionally Frankland, was the territory inhabited and ruled by the Franks from the 3rd to the 10th century...
. He took a position for Lothair I
Lothair I
Lothair I or Lothar I was the Emperor of the Romans , co-ruling with his father until 840, and the King of Bavaria , Italy and Middle Francia...
against his father Louis the Pious
Louis the Pious
Louis the Pious , also called the Fair, and the Debonaire, was the King of Aquitaine from 781. He was also King of the Franks and co-Emperor with his father, Charlemagne, from 813...
, for which he was deposed in the Synod of Thionville
Synod of Thionville
The Synod of Thionville was an important synod of ecclesiastic dignitaries of the Carolingian Empire in 835.Three years after the sons of the emperor rose in rebellion against their father, Emperor Louis the Pious, in 830, Ebbo, Archbishop of Rheims, had turned against him and on 13 November, 833,...
. This was never carried out.
Towards the end of his life, he enjoyed retiring to a spot on the banks of the Isere River, where the town of Romans
Romans, Ain
Romans is a commune in the Ain department in eastern France.-Population:-External links:*...
is today.