Maroilles Abbey
Encyclopedia
The abbey of Maroilles in the department of Nord, France
, was founded around 650 AD by Count Chonebert (or Radobert). Its first abbot was St. Humbert of Maroilles. Humbert was succeeded by St. Curcodomus.
From the 9th century to the time of the French Revolution
in the 18th century, the abbey followed the Rule of St. Benedict.
Maroilles cheese
is often reported to have first been made in 962 by a monk in the Abbey of Maroilles.
The abbey was repaired and restored in 1025 by Gerard of Florennes
(Gérard de Cambrai) after the Norman
invasions. The abbey of Maroilles suffered damage in the 14th and 15th centuries in wars involving the County of Hainaut
. Reconstruction projects took place during the 16th and 18th centuries. The abbey reached its peak in terms of power and wealth during the 18th century.
During the French Revolution, on July 28, 1789, the wealth and power of the abbey caused it to become a target of anger, and the abbey was sacked by the villagers of Taisnières-en-Thiérache
. Between 1791 and 1794, the abbey was used as a quarry
, and the abbey church, the cloister, and some of the walls disappeared. Today only parts of the portal and guesthouse remain, as well as the windmill and tithe barn
(grange dimière).
The tithe barn has been restored and converted into a tourism and information center, providing information on the natural and cultural patrimony of the local region.
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...
, was founded around 650 AD by Count Chonebert (or Radobert). Its first abbot was St. Humbert of Maroilles. Humbert was succeeded by St. Curcodomus.
From the 9th century to the time of 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...
in the 18th century, the abbey followed the Rule of St. Benedict.
Maroilles cheese
Maroilles (cheese)
Maroilles is a cow's-milk cheese made in the regions of Picardy and Nord-Pas-de-Calais in northern France. It derives its name from the village of Maroilles in the region in which it is still manufactured....
is often reported to have first been made in 962 by a monk in the Abbey of Maroilles.
The abbey was repaired and restored in 1025 by Gerard of Florennes
Gerard of Florennes
Gerard of Florennes , bishop of Cambrai as Gerard I, had formerly been chaplain to Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor, and helpful to the latter in his political negotiations with Robert the Pious, King of France...
(Gérard de Cambrai) after the Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
invasions. The abbey of Maroilles suffered damage in the 14th and 15th centuries in wars involving the County of Hainaut
County of Hainaut
The County of Hainaut was a historical region in the Low Countries with its capital at Mons . In English sources it is often given the archaic spelling Hainault....
. Reconstruction projects took place during the 16th and 18th centuries. The abbey reached its peak in terms of power and wealth during the 18th century.
During the French Revolution, on July 28, 1789, the wealth and power of the abbey caused it to become a target of anger, and the abbey was sacked by the villagers of Taisnières-en-Thiérache
Taisnières-en-Thiérache
-References:*...
. Between 1791 and 1794, the abbey was used as a quarry
Quarry
A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. Quarries are generally used for extracting building materials, such as dimension stone, construction aggregate, riprap, sand, and gravel. They are often collocated with concrete and asphalt plants due to the requirement...
, and the abbey church, the cloister, and some of the walls disappeared. Today only parts of the portal and guesthouse remain, as well as the windmill and tithe barn
Tithe barn
A tithe barn was a type of barn used in much of northern Europe in the Middle Ages for storing the tithes - a tenth of the farm's produce which had to be given to the church....
(grange dimière).
The tithe barn has been restored and converted into a tourism and information center, providing information on the natural and cultural patrimony of the local region.