IMC 2007: Sessions

Session 129: Cistercians in the 12th Century

Monday 9 July 2007, 11.15-12.45

Sponsor:Cîteaux: commentarii cistercienses, Pontigny
Organiser:Terryl N. Kinder, _Cîteaux: Commentarii cistercienses_, Pontigny
Moderator/Chair:Terryl N. Kinder, _Cîteaux: Commentarii cistercienses_, Pontigny
Paper 129-aBernard and his Monastic Family
(Language: English)
Christopher J. Holdsworth, Department of History, University of Exeter
Index terms: Archives and Sources, Monasticism, Religious Life
Paper 129-bInter Babylonem et Ierusalem nulla est pax, sed guerra continua: Cities in the Parables of Bernard of Clairvaux
(Language: English)
Mette Birkedal Bruun, Department of Church History, Københavns Universitet
Index terms: Ecclesiastical History, Hagiography, Monasticism, Religious Life
Paper 129-c‘The Milk of His Solicitude’: Aelred Feeds his Monastery
(Language: English)
Michele Moatt, Department of History, Lancaster University
Index terms: Ecclesiastical History, Hagiography, Historiography - Medieval, Monasticism
Abstract

Bernard of Clairvaux and Aelred of Rievaulx are two of the best known 12th-century English Cistercian abbots, whose actions and words set examples for their contemporaries as well as their successors. Precisely how Bernard attempted to execute his responsibilities as abbot within the developing customs of the Order – and the extent of his success – will be examined, as will the use of parables in his written teaching. Aelred will be explored through the choices made by his (contemporary) biographer, Walter Daniel, in constructing the miracle stories which elucidate his notions of embodiment, illness/healing, feeding/eating.