Bernard de Clairvaux' youth - from squire to monk

Bernard de Clairvaux (1090/1091 - 1153), Cistercian abbot and theologian, is renowned for his sermons and letters that eloquently blend Christian mysticism with the ideals of knighthood. However, the first 21 years of his life (the years of legal minority) he lived as Bernard de la Fontaine the life of a member of the Burgundian nobility, being a squire himself in direct contact with knights. What is known of these early years?

The Augustinian canons of the Holy Sepulcher - stepping stone of the Templars

The election of Pope Leo XIV, a former Augustinian canon, has drawn renewed attention to the historical role of the Augustinian tradition within the Church. There is an often overlooked foundational influence on the origin, spiritual identity and structure of the medieval military orders. More particular, in the aftermath of the First Crusade (1096-1099) the Hospitallers as well as the proto-Knights Templar maintained a special relationship with Augustinian canons of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The characteristics of the Jerusalem Augustinian canons seem to have inspired the special character of the juvenile Templar Order. 

Did the medival Templars celebrate Pentecost?

The liturgical life of the Knights Templar during the Middle Ages is illuminated by their Rule, statutes, manuscript breviaries/ordinals, and commandery inventories. What is known on theTemplars celebrating Pentecost?

A probable Templar location at Groessen, The Netherlands

In Groessen, Tempelstraat (Temple-street) runs from Dorpstraat close to the church with an angle to Kerkakkers, formerly Leuvensestraat. Not far south from the intersection Tempelstraat-Kerkakkers is the farm ‘De Tempel’, which obviously does not date from medieval times. The name is written on the facade. At a corner in Tempelstraat, another road connects, which goes by the name Commendereijstraat. These toponyms suggest that there was once a Templar settlement at Groessen. What are the facts?

Clairvaux Abbey - 910 years old

The abbey of Clairvaux (today at the commune of Ville-sous-La-Ferté, in the Aube Department, France), the third daughter of the Cistercian abbey of Cîteaux, was founded in the summer of 1115 (according to legend on 25 June 1115) by the Cistercian monk Bernard de Fontaine, the later Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153). Bernard had been sent, with twelve other monks, to the site by the abbot of Citeaux Abbey. That means that this year the Abbey celebrates its 910th birthday.

The re-organization of the Papacy in the 12th and 13th Century

The 12th and 13th centuries were transformative periods for the papacy, marked by significant administrative reforms, increased political power, and theological developments. This era witnessed the papacy consolidating its influence over both ecclesiastical and secular realms. The organization of the papacy during this time set the foundations for its role in the subsequent centuries.

Saint Denis - blueprint of the Gothic cathedrals in France

The first appearance of what can truly be considered ‘Gothic’, both in architecture and sculpture, is attributed to the rebuilding of the royal abbey church of St. Denis, located a few miles north of Paris. St Denis basilica preceeded the Chartres cathedral, better known by the general public, by about half a century. How did the Saint Denis basilica trigger the gothic architecture in France?

André de Montbard - co founder of the Knights Templar

André de Montbard (5 November ca 1097 or 1103 -17 October 1156) was the fifth (Grand) Master of the Knights Templar and also one of the early members, if not one of the founders of the Order. His life, which started and ended in Burgundy, France, shows a remarkable link between the Templars and the Cistercian Order. André even ended his life at Clairvaux as a Cistercian monk, together with another former Master, Evrard des Barres. What are the details?

A probable Templar location at De Bijvanck, Beek, The Netherlands

Estate De Bijvank in Beek, Montfoort municipality, is a centuries-old estate, which currently consists mainly of forest. It is known for its natural beauty, including its romantic lanes. Centrally located is a hunting lodge, which in its current form dates from around 1792. Near the hunting lodge, there is an elevation in the forest surrounded by a circular moat, popularly called ‘The Castle’ or ‘The Rondeel’. Tradition has it that this was an establishment of the Knights Templar. The Bijvanck estate is now managed by Natuurmonumenten (the Dutch National Trust) and, except for the part around the manor house, is freely accessible.