Born in 1091 at Fontaine-lès-Dijon, Bernard of Clairvaux emerged as a central figure in medieval theology and the Cistercian reform movement. A writer, mystic, and philosopher, his influence extended across the Kingdom of France, where he served as the abbot of Clairvaux Abbey from 1115 until his death in 1153.
Monastic Leadership
Entering the Cîteaux Abbey in 1113, Bernard demonstrated a significant capacity for religious organization and recruitment. By 1115, he was dispatched to establish a new monastery in the Diocese of Langres, which he named Clairvaux. Under his leadership, the site became the epicenter of rapid Cistercian expansion, resulting in the founding of more than sixty abbeys during his lifetime, including houses at Trois-Fontaines, Fontenay, and Foigny.
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Bernard frequently operated outside his abbey, serving as a diplomat and preacher. During the papal schism of 1130 following the death of Pope Honorius II, he successfully mediated between competing claims, supporting Pope Innocent II against the Antipope Anacletus II. His influence also extended to the military orders, as he helped outline the Rule of the Knights Templar at the Council of Troyes in 1128. He later championed the cause of the Second Crusade, famously addressing a crowd at Vézelay in 1146.
Theological Legacy
As a Doctor of the Church, Bernard utilized Latin and Old French to compose works including Sermons on the Canticle of Canticles and De diligendo Deo. His theology prioritized experiential faith and the emotional dimensions of religious devotion over the rationalist approaches of contemporary scholastics. His Mariology was particularly significant, as he promoted the role of Mary as an intermediary and mediator in Christian practice.
Fast facts
- Born: 1091, Fontaine-lès-Dijon
- Died: 1153, Clairvaux Abbey
- Positions held: Abbot of Clairvaux (1115-1153)
- Languages: French, Latin, Old French, medieval Latin
- Canonization: Pope Alexander III
- Named Doctor of the Church: 1830, Pope Pius VIII
Questions readers ask
What major theological works did Bernard write?
His primary works include Sermons on the Canticle of Canticles, De diligendo Deo, and his extensive collection of Letters.
What role did he play in the military orders?
Bernard was a co-founder of the Knights Templar and traced the outlines of their Rule at the Council of Troyes in 1128.
Achievements
- Notable work: Sermons on the Canticle of Canticles
- Notable work: De diligendo Deo
- Notable work: Letters
- Fields: philosophy, theology and monastic life
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