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St. Bernard and Clairvaux
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St Bernard
of Clairvaux (c.1090-1153) was one
of the greatest and most dynamic figures of the Middle Ages. He
played a central role in the development of the Cistercian Order,
and was an active participant in political and ecclesiastical affairs.
Bernard was canonised on 18 January 1174, but he was unofficially
recognised as a saint before his death.
Bernard’s arrival at the New Monastery c. 1112 was a decisive
point in the history of the Cistercians; he is often described as
the Order’s second founder. His charisma and reforming zeal
reinvigorated the community and accelerated its remarkable expansion.
Only three years after his arrival at Cîteaux
Bernard was chosen to found the third of Cîteaux’s
‘elder daughters’ at Clairvaux (Valley of Light), in the
diocese of Langres. Bernard’s magnetism and fame inspired a number
of recruits, among them the future pope, Eugenius III. He was said
to have such an appeal that mothers hid their sons from him and
wives concealed their husbands. Under Bernard’s energetic leadership
Clairvaux rose to prominence and soon dominated the Cistercian family
tree: during his abbacy sixty-five daughter-houses were founded
or absorbed, and eventually there were over 350 houses affiliated
to Clairvaux. Bernard was instrumental in bringing the Cistercians
to Yorkshire, and the Clairvaux
line was by far the strongest in the British Isles. He is sometimes
depicted carrying a model of a church, symbolic of his contribution
to expansion.
Although Bernard overtly rejected publicity,
he was a prominent figure in contemporary affairs. He was a friend
and advisor to rulers and prelates, he engaged in political and
theological debates, mediated during the Papal
Schism, and his magnetic preaching incited many to join the
Second Crusade. Bernard
thus described himself as the chimera of his age, for like that
mythical beast he was an incongruous mixture – a monk thrust
into the roles of politician, diplomat and preacher.
Bernard was also a talented and prolific writer. A number of his
writings survive, including sermons, theological tracts, letters
and lives of saints. These reveal a forceful and engaging character,
who embraced controversy; one who was articulate, opinionated, and
often sharp-tongued. As such Bernard provoked criticism, as well
as acclaim; the satirist, Walter Map, complained of his dominance:
From this last (Clairvaux) rose Bernard, and began to shine among,
or rather above the rest, like Lucifer among the stars of night.
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