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The Cistercian Order was one of
the most important new religious orders to emerge in the late eleventh
century. The Cistercians dominated religious life in the first half
of the twelfth century. They were also one of the most conspicuous
orders, for they wore the white habit, rather than the traditional
black monastic habit, their churches were strikingly bare and simply
furnished, they observed a strict diet and - in order to live by
the fruits of their own labour - dedicated much of their time to
manual labour. The Cistercians had
their admirers, their critics and those who were simply curious.
The following selection of quotations reflects the opinions of a
variety of their contemporaries, including Benedictines, clergy
and laity, friends, foes and satirists; it also includes several
quotations from the Cistercians
themselves, reflecting how some of the White Monks perceived
the Cistercian life.
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The Cistercians through medieval eyes
