Christian monasteries originated in the desserts of Egypt with monks living as hermits. Eventually, some monks came together and formed small groups that provided mutual support and a structure for communal services. We fast forward to 529, when Benedict of Nursia created what would become known as the Rules of St Benedict, a guide for monks articulating how they should worship, behave, and eat. Again, we fast forward to medieval Europe where the Cluniac Orders prospered, providing much needed support to the secular community through hospitals, schools, and meals for the poor. The Cluniacs originally believed in a strict adherence to the Rules of St Benedict and were known for wearing a black habit.
Some monasteries became quite wealthy, owning vast estates and receiving substantial gifts from nobility who believed that such gifts would be favorably viewed by God and assure eternity in heaven. Power followed this wealth, creating an environment ripe for departure from the original intent of living a life of poverty that focused on work, worship, and charity. The Cistercian movement emerged from this, as some wanted a literal return to the rules of St Benedict. This reform-minded group became known as the White Monks as they wore a white robe over their habit. Cistercians located their communities in remote locations, separated from the secular world and lived a life of strict discipline. Preferring isolation and self-sufficiency, they became accomplished agriculturalists and were leaders in hydrology.
Hopefully, this briefest of introductions to the Cistercians helps one to understand the elegant and restrained architecture of the buildings found in the Abbey of Fontenay. The monks did not want the architectural embellishments to distract them from worship. The only sculpture in the church is one representing Mary holding the infant Jesus. Throughout the Middle Ages, ecclesiastical architecture changed and evolved, reflecting the changes in theology and religious practices. The Cistercian abbeys are beautiful manifestations of the religious life these men strived to create.
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