Charroux Abbey
Encyclopedia
Charroux Abbey is a ruined monastery
in Charroux
, in the Vienne
department of Poitou-Charentes
, western France
.
abbey, founded in 785 by Roger, Count of Limoges. It had up to 213 affiliated abbeys and priories
. The Council of Charroux was held at the abbey in 989. Under the patronage of William IV, Duke of Aquitaine, the assembly of clergy founded the Pax Dei, or Peace of God
. This agreement granted immunity from violence to noncombatants who could not defend themselves, beginning with the peasants and the clergy. Excommunication
was established as the punishment for attacking or robbing a church, for robbing peasants or the poor of farm animals, and for robbing, striking or seizing a priest or clergyman who was not bearing arms.
The abbey church was rebuilt in the 11th century, and was one of the largest Romanesque
churches in Christendom
. Following the death of Richard the Lionheart
, King of England and Duke of Aquitaine, in April 1199, the king's brain was buried at Charroux Abbey. The abbey was burned in 1422, during the Hundred Years War, and was plundered three times during the Wars of Religion
, in 1562, 1569 and 1587.
In 1762 the abbey was abandoned. Following the French Revolution
, the buildings, already in ruins, were sold for the national good in 1790. It was sold in five sections, and the buildings partly demolished to form a racecourse. However, the owner of the Charlemagne Tower resisted pressure to demolish the structure. Charles de Cherge and Prosper Mérimée
intervened to save the remains of the monument, and the sculptures on the gate were purchased by the French state. The remains were classified as monuments historique
in 1945 and 1950. Today, the remains are in the care of the Centre des monuments nationaux
, and are open to the public.
, the foreskin of Jesus
, which was given to the monks by Charlemagne
, King of the Franks from 768 to 814. In the early 12th century, it was taken in procession to Rome
where it was presented before Pope Innocent III
, who was asked to rule on its authenticity. The Pope declined the opportunity. At some point, however, the relic went missing, and remained lost until 1856 when a workman repairing the abbey claimed to have found a reliquary
hidden inside a wall, containing the missing foreskin. The rediscovery led to a theological clash with the established Holy Prepuce of Calcata
, which had been officially venerated by the Church for hundreds of years; in 1900, the Roman Catholic Church
resolved the dilemma by ruling that anyone thenceforward writing or speaking of the Holy Prepuce would be excommunicated
.
was built over in the 19th century.
was an extension of the south transept, and was built in the 13th century. In the 15th century by the abbot Jean Chaperon, including a flamboyant Gothic
doorway which connected with the church. Three Gothic gateways were built in front of the Romanesque church facade in the 13th century. 27 sculptures of kings and abbots, and several parts of the gates, were preserved following the demolition of the church, and they represent the height of Gothic sculpture in the Poitou
region. The sculptures are displayed in the chapter house.
s and commendators of Charroux.
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
in Charroux
Charroux, Vienne
Charroux is a commune in the Vienne department in the Poitou-Charentes region in western France.The remains of the Benedictine Charroux Abbey, founded in the 8th century, are preserved in the town.-Demographics:-References:*...
, in the Vienne
Vienne
Vienne is the northernmost département of the Poitou-Charentes region of France, named after the river Vienne.- Viennese history :Vienne is one of the original 83 departments, established on March 4, 1790 during the French Revolution. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Poitou,...
department of Poitou-Charentes
Poitou-Charentes
Poitou-Charentes is an administrative region in central western France comprising four departments: Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres and Vienne. The regional capital is Poitiers.-Politics:The regional council is composed of 56 members...
, western France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
History
Charroux was a BenedictineBenedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
abbey, founded in 785 by Roger, Count of Limoges. It had up to 213 affiliated abbeys and priories
Priory
A priory is a house of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or religious sisters , or monasteries of monks or nuns .The Benedictines and their offshoots , the Premonstratensians, and the...
. The Council of Charroux was held at the abbey in 989. Under the patronage of William IV, Duke of Aquitaine, the assembly of clergy founded the Pax Dei, or Peace of God
Peace and Truce of God
The Peace and Truce of God was a medieval European movement of the Catholic Church that applied spiritual sanctions in order to limit the violence of private war in feudal society. The movement constituted the first organized attempt to control civil society in medieval Europe through non-violent...
. This agreement granted immunity from violence to noncombatants who could not defend themselves, beginning with the peasants and the clergy. Excommunication
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
was established as the punishment for attacking or robbing a church, for robbing peasants or the poor of farm animals, and for robbing, striking or seizing a priest or clergyman who was not bearing arms.
The abbey church was rebuilt in the 11th century, and was one of the largest Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
churches in Christendom
Christendom
Christendom, or the Christian world, has several meanings. In a cultural sense it refers to the worldwide community of Christians, adherents of Christianity...
. Following the death of Richard the Lionheart
Richard I of England
Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
, King of England and Duke of Aquitaine, in April 1199, the king's brain was buried at Charroux Abbey. The abbey was burned in 1422, during the Hundred Years War, and was plundered three times during the Wars of Religion
French Wars of Religion
The French Wars of Religion is the name given to a period of civil infighting and military operations, primarily fought between French Catholics and Protestants . The conflict involved the factional disputes between the aristocratic houses of France, such as the House of Bourbon and House of Guise...
, in 1562, 1569 and 1587.
In 1762 the abbey was abandoned. Following the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, the buildings, already in ruins, were sold for the national good in 1790. It was sold in five sections, and the buildings partly demolished to form a racecourse. However, the owner of the Charlemagne Tower resisted pressure to demolish the structure. Charles de Cherge and Prosper Mérimée
Prosper Mérimée
Prosper Mérimée was a French dramatist, historian, archaeologist, and short story writer. He is perhaps best known for his novella Carmen, which became the basis of Bizet's opera Carmen.-Life:...
intervened to save the remains of the monument, and the sculptures on the gate were purchased by the French state. The remains were classified as monuments historique
Monument historique
A monument historique is a National Heritage Site of France. It also refers to a state procedure in France by which national heritage protection is extended to a building or a specific part of a building, a collection of buildings, or gardens, bridges, and other structures, because of their...
in 1945 and 1950. Today, the remains are in the care of the Centre des monuments nationaux
Centre des monuments nationaux
The Centre des monuments nationaux is a French government body which conserves, restores, and manages historic buildings and sites which are the property of the French state...
, and are open to the public.
Holy Prepuce
The abbey is said to have possessed the Holy PrepuceHoly Prepuce
The Holy Prepuce, or Holy Foreskin is one of several relics attributed to Jesus, a product of the circumcision of Jesus....
, the foreskin of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, which was given to the monks by Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
, King of the Franks from 768 to 814. In the early 12th century, it was taken in procession to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
where it was presented before Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni....
, who was asked to rule on its authenticity. The Pope declined the opportunity. At some point, however, the relic went missing, and remained lost until 1856 when a workman repairing the abbey claimed to have found a reliquary
Reliquary
A reliquary is a container for relics. These may be the physical remains of saints, such as bones, pieces of clothing, or some object associated with saints or other religious figures...
hidden inside a wall, containing the missing foreskin. The rediscovery led to a theological clash with the established Holy Prepuce of Calcata
Calcata
Calcata is a comune and town in the Province of Viterbo in the Italian region Latium, located 47 km north of Rome by car, overlooking the valley of Treja river....
, which had been officially venerated by the Church for hundreds of years; in 1900, the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
resolved the dilemma by ruling that anyone thenceforward writing or speaking of the Holy Prepuce would be excommunicated
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
.
Abbey church
The only remaining structure of the church is the 11th-century lantern tower, known as the Charlemagne Tower. It formed the central rotunda of the abbey. Overall, the church was 126 metres (413.4 ft) long, although the site of the naveNave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
was built over in the 19th century.
Monastic buildings
Some of the monastic buildings survive, to the south of the abbey church. The chapter houseChapter house
A chapter house or chapterhouse is a building or room attached to a cathedral or collegiate church in which meetings are held. They can also be found in medieval monasteries....
was an extension of the south transept, and was built in the 13th century. In the 15th century by the abbot Jean Chaperon, including a flamboyant Gothic
French Gothic architecture
French Gothic architecture is a style of architecture prevalent in France from 1140 until about 1500.-Sequence of Gothic styles: France:The designations of styles in French Gothic architecture are as follows:* Early Gothic* High Gothic...
doorway which connected with the church. Three Gothic gateways were built in front of the Romanesque church facade in the 13th century. 27 sculptures of kings and abbots, and several parts of the gates, were preserved following the demolition of the church, and they represent the height of Gothic sculpture in the Poitou
Poitou
Poitou was a province of west-central France whose capital city was Poitiers.The region of Poitou was called Thifalia in the sixth century....
region. The sculptures are displayed in the chapter house.
Abbots of Charroux
This is an incomplete list of abbotAbbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
s and commendators of Charroux.
- Dominique (783– )
- David (799– )
- Justus (817– )
- Gombaud I (Guntbaldus) (830–832)
- Walefredus (c.840–861)
- Guillaume I (862–869)
- Frotaire (869–874), also Archbishop of Bordeaux and Bourges
- Grimpharius (or Grinferius) (874–879)
- Alboin ( –937), later Bishop of Poitiers
- Adalbald
- Pierre I ( –1013), expelled for simonySimonySimony is the act of paying for sacraments and consequently for holy offices or for positions in the hierarchy of a church, named after Simon Magus , who appears in the Acts of the Apostles 8:9-24...
by William, Duke of Aquitaine - Gombaud II (1013–1017)
- Hugues I (1017)
- Geoffroy I (1017–1018)
- Rainald (or Réginald)
- Foucher (1028–1040)
- Hugues II (1050–1061)
- Fulcrade (1077–1092)
- Pierre II (1092– )
- Foulques (1113–1148)
- Jourdain I (1155– )
- Guillaume II (1180–1187)
- Geoffroy II ( –1195)
- Guillaume III ( –1203)
- Hugues III (1208–1210)
- Jourdain II ( –1217)
- Emeric (1217–1220)
- Jourdain III ( –1234)
- Aymeri (1261–1266)
- Guillaume IV (1269– )
- Pierre III (1279–1282)
- Gui de Baussay
- Raimond de Châteauneuf (1295–1308)
- Pierre IV Bertaud ( –1340)
- Mathieu ( –1358), later Bishop of Aire
- Pierre V Plotte 1372
- Gerald Jauviond ( –1393)
- Bertrand (1398)
- Adhémar (1399 – January 24, 1427)
- Hugues Blanchard (January 1427 – )
- Guillaume IV Robert (1436–1444)
- Jean I Chaperon (1444–1474)
- Louis I Fresneau (1474–1504)
- Geoffroy III de Cluys de Briantes (1504–1521)
Commendators
- Pierre VI Chateigner of Rocheposay (1521–1543)
- Lazare de Baïf (1543–1547)
- Rene de Daillon of Lude (1547–1567), later bishop of Bayeux, commander of the Order of the Holy SpiritOrder of the Holy SpiritThe Order of the Holy Spirit, also known as the Order of the Knights of the Holy Spirit, was an Order of Chivalry under the French Monarchy. It should not be confused with the Congregation of the Holy Ghost or with the Order of the Holy Ghost...
, and adviser to Henri IVHenry IV of FranceHenry IV , Henri-Quatre, was King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France.... - Pantaléon of Rochejaubert (resigned 1588)
- François of Rochejaubert (c.1588–1614)
- Jean II of Rochejaubert (1614–1635)
- Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal Richelieu (commendator until his death on 4 December 1642), also chief advisor to Louis XIII
- Richard Smith (resigned 1648), an Englishman, Vicar Apostolic of England and titular Bishop of Chalcedon
- Jules, Cardinal Mazarin (1648–1650), chief minister to Louis XIV, resigned
- Louis II Maurice de la TrémoilleLa TrémoilleMembers of the House of La Trémoille, were part of an old French family which derives its name from a village in the department of Vienne....
, Count of Laval (1651–1681) - Frederic-Guillaume de la Trémoille, Prince of Talmont (March 21, 1681 – 1689)
- Charles Frotier de Messelière (April 9, 1689 – 1708)
- François de Crussol d' Uzès d' Amboise (July 30, 1727 – † May 30, 1758), also Bishop of Blois and Archbishop of Toulouse
- N. de Montmorillon (1758– )