Cuissy Abbey
Encyclopedia
Cuissy Abbey was a Premonstratensian
abbey in France
in the diocese of Soissons, and was among the earliest foundations of the Premonstratensian Order.
, near Laon
, in the département of Aisne.
It was founded around 1114-1116 by Blessed Luc de Ronci, dean of Laon
, who withdrew there with a few disciples.
In 1122, the community joined the Premonstratensian
order of canons regular
which had just been founded by Norbert of Xanten
, and a house of which had been set up in Laon with the support of the bishop. The community was raised to the status of an abbey in 1124, with Luc as the first abbot.
As one of the earliest Premonstratensian abbeys, Cuissy, along with the Abbey of St. Martin, Laon, and Floreffe Abbey
, was one of the primarii inter pares, or senior houses of the order.
Cuissy developed a reputation for exceptionally fine calligraphy and manucript illumination.
The church and monastic premises were almost entirely rebuilt in 1746, apparently leaving no medieval structures.
The abbey was dissolved in 1790 during the French Revolution
, and the site, after some use for industrial purposes, was abandoned. Some surviving structures from the 17th and 18th centuries have been classed as historical monuments since 1928.
Premonstratensian
The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, also known as the Premonstratensians, the Norbertines, or in Britain and Ireland as the White Canons , are a Catholic religious order of canons regular founded at Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert, who later became Archbishop of Magdeburg...
abbey in 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...
in the diocese of Soissons, and was among the earliest foundations of the Premonstratensian Order.
History
The abbey was situated at Cuissy-et-GenyCuissy-et-Geny
Cuissy-et-Geny is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.-References:*...
, near Laon
Laon
Laon is the capital city of the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.-History:The hilly district of Laon, which rises a hundred metres above the otherwise flat Picardy plain, has always held strategic importance...
, in the département of Aisne.
It was founded around 1114-1116 by Blessed Luc de Ronci, dean of Laon
Laon
Laon is the capital city of the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.-History:The hilly district of Laon, which rises a hundred metres above the otherwise flat Picardy plain, has always held strategic importance...
, who withdrew there with a few disciples.
In 1122, the community joined the Premonstratensian
Premonstratensian
The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, also known as the Premonstratensians, the Norbertines, or in Britain and Ireland as the White Canons , are a Catholic religious order of canons regular founded at Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert, who later became Archbishop of Magdeburg...
order of canons regular
Canons Regular
Canons Regular are members of certain bodies of Canons living in community under the Augustinian Rule , and sharing their property in common...
which had just been founded by Norbert of Xanten
Norbert of Xanten
Saint Norbert of Xanten was a Christian saint and founder of the Norbertine or Premonstratensian order of canons regular.- Life and work :...
, and a house of which had been set up in Laon with the support of the bishop. The community was raised to the status of an abbey in 1124, with Luc as the first abbot.
As one of the earliest Premonstratensian abbeys, Cuissy, along with the Abbey of St. Martin, Laon, and Floreffe Abbey
Floreffe Abbey
Floreffe Abbey is a former Premonstratensian monastery, the second of the order to be founded, situated on the Sambre at Floreffe, about 11 km southwest of Namur, Belgium.-History:...
, was one of the primarii inter pares, or senior houses of the order.
Cuissy developed a reputation for exceptionally fine calligraphy and manucript illumination.
The church and monastic premises were almost entirely rebuilt in 1746, apparently leaving no medieval structures.
The abbey was dissolved in 1790 during the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, and the site, after some use for industrial purposes, was abandoned. Some surviving structures from the 17th and 18th centuries have been classed as historical monuments since 1928.