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The Cistercian Evolution: The Invention of a Religious Order in Twelfth-Century Europe (The Middle Ages Series)

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The commonly held view of the creation of the Cistercian Order has several cherished elements: a foundation date for the order in the early 1100s during the lifetime of Bernard of Clairvaux; the rapid spread of this novel form of monasticism based on 'apostolic gestation' (a mother abbey sends out an abbot and 6 or 12 monks to found a new abbey); the settlement of new abbeys in the waste and disused lands of Europe; strong central control by the General Chapter; and the almost complete lack of women's foundations in the early Cistercian Order.

This well written volume turns this potted history on its head. The author re-examines the earliest foundation documents of the Order and individual monasteries in southern France to compose an entirely different history of the Order's early years. The concept of the Order itself was not invented until after Bernard's death and the General Chapter did not exert control until the last third of the Twelfth Century. In a far cry from the traditional history, the author finds evidence that the Order spread primarily by incorporating pre-existing foundations including many double houses as well as women's foundations. The incorporation of pre-existing monastic communities certainly better explains the Cistercian's amazingly rapid spread and success. Instead of colonizing the wastelands of Europe, the Order took over areas already under cultivation.

There are more surprises in this volume besides those mentioned above. The concepts of equality and charity, exemption from tithes, and other cherished myths of the Order are scrutinized using primary documents. The book focuses primarily on southern France, the cradle of the Cistercians, and deals extensively with women's monasteries and the Cistercian's foundation myth's silence about them.

An excellent read and an essential book for anyone interested in the history of the Twelfth Century or the Cistercians.