prosperous Cistercian foundations in the Middle Ages, with some 300 monks and
postulants. The abbey church, begun ca. 1130 thanks to the generosity of Évrard, bishop
of Norwich (d. 1150), and consecrated in 1147 by Pope Eugenius III, is one of the oldest
Cistercian churches in France. It is marked by the simplicity typical of Cistercian
architecture. Constructed on the plan of a Latin cross, the eight-bay nave is covered by
pointed barrel vaulting and supported by transverse arches carrying barrel vaults in the
side aisles. The flat chevet is lit by triple lancets, symbolizing the Trinity. The spare
dormitory has a beautiful 15th-century timbered ceiling in the form of an upturned ship’s
keel. The elegant cloister and the rib-vaulted chapter house, supported by central piers,
are pure Romanesque. Other conventual buildings include a prison, warming room and
scriptorium, infirmary, and forge.
William W.Kibler/William W.Clark
[See also: CISTERCIAN ART AND ARCHITECTURE]
Aubert, Marcel. “Fontenay.” Congrès archéologique (Dijon) 91 (1928):234–51.
Bégule, Lucien. L’abbaye de Fontenay. 4th ed. Paris: Laurens, 1966.
FONTEVRAULT
. The 12th-century abbey of Fontevrault (Maine-et-Loire), located near the Loire’s
confluence with the Vienne, was founded, probably in 1101, by Robert d’Arbrissel as a
monastic community for those, especially women, who had been attracted by his
preaching. Fontevrault was a “double monastery,” with communities of men and women
living separate existences but sharing a single
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