Fleury Abbey
Fleury Abbey (Floriacum) in Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire, Loiret, France, founded in about 640,[1] is one of the most celebrated Benedictine monasteries of Western Europe, and possesses the relics of St. Benedict of Nursia. Its site on the banks of the Loire has always made it easily accessible from Orléans, a center of culture unbroken since Roman times.[2] In 2010, the abbey had over forty monks led by the abbot Etienne Ricaud.[3]
Abbo of Fleury (died 1004) a monk and abbot of Fleury was a theologian of wide-ranging intellect; his life was written by the chronicler Aimoin, also a monk of Fleury. Andrew of Fleury (writing c. 1043) wrote Miracula sancti Benedicti. Hugh of Fleury (died after 1118) was a monk of Fleury known for his chronicles and other writings.
Churches
Anscar Vonier, writing in the Catholic Encyclopedia says that "from the very start the abbey boasted of two churches, one in honour of St. Peter and the other in honour of the Blessed Virgin."[4] The church of St Peter was demolished in the eighteenth century; the existing church dedicated to the Virgin pre-existed the founding of the monastery. After the ravages of the Normans, who penetrated via the Loire and burned the monastery buildings, which suffered a catastrophic fire in 1026, this became the great late eleventh-century Romanesque basilica, which occasioned the erection of a great tower, that was intended as the west front of the abbey church, which was completed in 1218. It was here that the Fleury Playbook was compiled, perhaps in dedication to the new church. The tower of Abbot Gauzlin,[5] resting on fifty columns, forms a unique porch. The Carolingian style church is about three hundred feet long, its transept one hundred and forty feet. The choir of the church contains the tomb of a French monarch, Philip I of France, buried there in 1108. Of the mediaeval abbey's buildings, only this basilica survives in the modern monastery.
Medieval history
The seventeenth-century Benedictine scholar Jean Mabillon accepted the traditional founding of Fleury as by Leodebaldus, abbot of St-Aignan (Orléans) about 640, in the existing Gallo-Roman villa of Floriacum, in the Vallis Aurea, the "Golden Valley". This was the spot selected by the Abbot of St-Aignan for his Benedictine foundation. Rigomarus was its first abbot.
The most famous of the Merovingian abbots was St. Mommolus, who effected the translation of the relics there of Benedict of Nursia.[6] Pepin of Herstal, having considerably augmented the abbey, committed it to the direction of Saint Bain in 706.[7] The monastery underwent a season of reform in its monastic life, about 930, along the lines first laid out at Cluny. The monastery enjoyed the patronage of the Carolingian dynasty for generations; it was also central to the political ambitions of the Robertian house descended from Robert I of France, several of whom had held the title Duke of the Franks. The monk of Fleury named Helgaud (died ca 1068), was chaplain to King Robert II and wrote a brief Epitoma vitae Roberti regis. Fleury had particular significance in lending legitimacy to its patrons. Although royal and ducal patronage had material advantages, there was also a price to be paid in terms of monastic autonomy when the ducal candidate conflicted with the choice of the monastic community.
Theodulphus, bishop of Orléans established at Fleury a school for young noblemen recommended there by Charlemagne. By the mid-ninth century its library was one of the most comprehensive ever assembled in the West, and scholars such as Lupus of Ferrières (d. 862) traveled there to consult its texts. Later under St. Abbo of Fleury (abbot 988-1004), head of the reformed abbey school, Fleury enjoyed a second golden age; it kept up close relations with abbeys in England. Later, among the non-resident abbots in commendam were Cardinals Odet de Coligny and Antoine Sanguin in the reign of François I and Cardinal Richelieu.
Modern history
Like all Benedictine monasteries in France, the community was scattered by the French Revolution. Nevertheless, a Benedictine presence remained continually: the parish was held by a monk disguised as a secular priest, and there were numerous attempts to restore the monastery throughout the 19th century.[8] Finally, in 1944, the community (which had been resident at Pierre-qui-Vire) was restored to the abbey, which was rebuilt as a member of the Subiaco Congregation.[9] The monastery is remembered each day at evensong in Winchester Cathedral with an additional short said prayer at the conclusion of the responses – the Fleury Prayer.[10]
Benedict of Nursia's relics
Fleury is reputed to contain the relics of St. Benedict of Nursia, the father of Western monasticism. Mommolus, the second Abbot of Fleury, is said to have effected their transfer when that abbey fell into decay after the ravages of the Lombards in the sixth century. Benedict's relics, and the Miracula S. Benedicti[clarification needed] developed over three centuries by five monks of Fleury, including Andreas of Fleury (c. 1043),[11] attracted pilgrims, bringing wealth and fame.
Monks of the Italian monastery Monte Cassino, which was founded by Benedict himself, disputed this story. They claimed that Monte Cassino possesses the remains of the body of St. Benedict, but have never shown relics as proof.
See also
- List of Carolingian monasteries
- Carolingian architecture
- Carolingian art
- Regional characteristics of Romanesque architecture
- Codex Floriacensis
Notes
- ^ Butler, Alban (1845). The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints, Volume 3. Dublin. p. 218.
- ^ The abbey is about 35 km southeast of Orléans.
- ^ "Abbaye de Fleury". Archived from the original on 2010-08-16. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
- ^ Vonier, Anscar. "Abbey of Fleury." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 26 June 2019 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ His biography by André de Fleury, Vie de Gauzlin, abbé de Fleury: Vita Gauzlini abbatis Floriacensis monasterii edited by R. H. Bautier and G. Labory, was published in 1969 (Paris: C.N.R.S.); it is a major source for the early eleventh century
- ^ The chronicler Aldrevald of Fleury first reported the transfer, in the ninth century.
- ^ Butler, Alban (1799), The Lives of the Primitive Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints, J. Moir, p. 277, retrieved 2021-09-06
- ^ "Abbaye de Fleury". Archived from the original on 2010-08-16. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
- ^ "Subiaco Congregation of the Order of St. Benedict". www.subiacocongregation.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ "Christian Links". Archived from the original on 2014-11-25. Retrieved 2012-09-09.
- ^ Alexandre Vidier, L'Historiographie à Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire et les miracles de Saint Benoît (Paris: Picard) 1965.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Abbey of Fleury". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
References
- Elizabeth Dachowski, "Edmund of East Anglia: Life of Abbo of Fleury": an introduction to the political background.
- (Dewey Library, University of Pennsylvania) Boethius, In Librum Aristotelis de Interpretatione: Manuscript probably produced at Fleury, mid-ninth century
Further reading
- Anselme Davril, editor, 1990. The Monastic Ritual of Fleury. A twelfth-century ritual, Orléans, Bibliothèque Municipale MS 123 [101] ISBN 978-0-9501009-9-9
- Chenesseau, Georges. L'abbaye de Fleury à Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire (Paris: van Oest) 1933.
47°48′35.27″N 2°18′19.87″E / 47.8097972°N 2.3055194°E / 47.8097972; 2.3055194
- v
- t
- e
- Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Saviour
- Basilica of Our Lady of Brebières
- Cathedral Basilica of St Cecilia
- Basilica of Our Lady of Alençon
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady
- Basilica of St Mary Magdalene
- Basilica of the Visitation
- Basilica of St Joseph
- Basilica of St Ann
- Basilica of Our Lady
- Basilica of St Denis
- Basilica of St Trophimus
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady and St Vedast
- Basilica of St Sixtus
- Cathedral Basilica of St Mary of Auch
- Cathedral Basilica of St Lazarus
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Doms
- Basilica of Our Lady of Avioth
- Basilica of St Gervasius and St Protasius
- Basilica of Our Lady of Beaune
- Cathedral Basilica of St Christopher
- Basilica of Our Lady of Sewing
- Cathedral Basilica of St John the Evangelist
- Basilica of SS Ferreolus and Ferrutio
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Trinity
- Basilica of Our Lady of Bon-Encontre
- Basilica of St Ann
- Basilica of Our Lady of Good Succour
- Basilica of St Severinus
- Basilica of St. Michael
- Basilica of Our Lady of Boulogne
- Basilica of St Julian
- Basilica of Our Lady of Ceignac
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Grace and the Holy Sepulchre
- Basilica of St Nazarius and St Celsus
- Basilica of St Maxellende
- Cathedral Basilica of St Francis de Sales
- Basilica of Our Lady of Mézières
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Chartres
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Children
- Basilica of St John the Baptist
- Basilica of the Holy Trinity
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Port
- Basilica of Our Lady of Cléry
- Basilica of the Holy Saviour
- Basilica of Our Lady of Dole
- Basilica of St Joan of Arc
- Basilica of Our Lady of Deliverance
- Basilica of St Maurice
- Basilica of Our Lady of Épine
- Basilica of Our Lady of the White
- Basilica of Our Lady
- Basilica of St Joseph
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart
- Basilica of Our Lady of Help
- Basilica of Our Lady, Marienthal
- Basilica of Our Lady of Paradise
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
- Basilica of Our Lady of Roncier
- Basilica of Our Lady of Thierenbach
- Basilica of Our Lady of Good Succour
- Basilica of Our Lady of Montligeon
- Basilica of Our Lady of Pity
- Basilica of Our Lady
- Basilica of St John Francis Regis
- Basilica of Our Lady of La Salette
- Basilica of Our Lady of Avénières
- Basilica of Our Lady of Épine
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Le Puy
- Basilica of Our Lady of Liesse
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady
- Basilica of Our Lady of Marceille
- Basilica of St Theresa
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Good Guard
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (Upper Church)
- Basilica of the Rosary (Lower Church)
- Basilica of St Pius X (Underground Church)
- Basilica of St Martin of the Sacred Heart
- Basilica of St Peter
- Basilica of Our Lady of Fourvière
- Basilica of St Martin of Ainay
- Basilica of Our Lady of Guard
- Cathedral Basilica of St Mary Major
- Basilica of St Victor (Abbey of St Victor)
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart
- Basilica of St Peter Fourier
- Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles
- Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles
- Cathedral Basilica of St Stephen
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady and St Privat
- Basilica of St Michael the Archangel
- Basilica of St Vincent
- Basilica of Our Lady of Aiguebelle, Aiguebelle Abbey
- Cathedral Basilica of St Peter and St Paul
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Tables
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady
- Basilica of St Aprus
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart
- Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes
- Basilica of St Nicholas
- Basilica of St Donatius and St Rogatius
- Old Cathedral of St Just and St Pastor
- Basilica of St Paul
- Basilica of St James
- Cathedral Basilica of St Cyriacus and St Julietta
- Cathedral Basilica of St Mary and St Reparata
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady and St Castor
- Basilica of Our Lady of Orcival
- Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Cross
- Basilica of Our Lady, Mont Sainte-Odile
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Paris
- Basilica of St Clotilde and St Valery
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart
- Basilica of Our Lady of Victories
- Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Cathedral Basilica of St Front
- Cathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist
- Cathedral Basilica of St Peter
- Basilica of Our Lady of Joy
- Basilica of Our Lady of Prayer
- Basilica of Our Lady of Buglose
- Cathedral Basilica of St Corentin
- Basilica of Our Lady of Deliverance
- Basilica of St Remigius (Abbey of St Remigius)
- Basilica of St Clotilde
- Basilica of the Holy Saviour and Our Lady of Miracles and Virtues
- Basilica of St Albinus and Our Lady of Good News
- Basilica of St Amabilis, Ricomage
- Basilica of Our Lady of Rocamadour
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart
- Basilica of Sainte-Anne-d'Auray
- Basilica of Our Lady of Good Succour
- Basilica of St Benedict, Fleury Abbey
- Cathedral Basilica of St Stephen
- Basilica of Our Lady of Hope
- Cathedral Basilica of St Peter
- Basilica of St Peter
- Basilica of St Eutropius
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Laus
- Basilica of St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort
- Basilica of St Nicholas
- Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles
- Old Cathedral of St Pol
- Basilica of St Quentin
- Basilica of Our Lady of Victory
- Basilica of St Andoche
- Basilica of Our Lady of Zion
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
- Cathedral Basilica of St Gervasius and St Protasius
- Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Abbey of St Michael of Frigolet
- Basilica of St Francis de Sales
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Daurade
- Basilica of St Saturnin
- Basilica of St Martin
- Basilica of St Tudwal
- Basilica of St Urban
- Cathedral Basilica of St Apollinarius
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Holy Cord
- Cathedral Basilica of St Peter
- Basilica of Our Lady
- Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady
- Basilica of St Mary Magdalene (Vézelay Abbey)
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Willow
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Oak
- Basilicas list
- Catholicism portal