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The nunneries - an overview
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The Cistercian life appealed to many women who wished
to be part of this renowned Order and to embark upon what was purported
to be ‘the surest road to salvation.’ The General
Chapter did
not share their enthusiasm and although a number of female communities
during the twelfth century claimed to be Cistercian, they were not at this
time
officially recognised as part of the Cistercian family. In 1213,
the General Chapter was forced to revise its position, and to embrace these
women as
part of the Order. The status of these nunneries, however, remained
rather ambiguous.
The nunneries flourished during the first half of the
thirteenth century, spreading ‘like the stars of heaven.’ The General Chapter
sought to control this expansion and in 1228 prohibited the incorporation
or foundation of any more nunneries. Whilst this put an end to
the growth of official Cistercian nunneries, namely those that were formally
sanctioned
by the Order and visited by the Father
Abbot, the number of unofficial
Cistercian communities continued to increase. Many female communities throughout
Europe
adopted Cistercian customs, wore the characteristic Cistercian
habit of undyed wool or claimed Cistercian privileges, such as exemption
from the
payment of tithes. In fact, the number of nunneries claiming a
Cistercian identity greatly exceeded the number of those formally recognised
by the
Order. <next>
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