Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
At a glance:
- Series: Dictionary of World Biography: Middle Ages
- Categories: Religion, Ethics
- Subcategories: Politicians, Diplomats, Christianity, Christians, Churches, Crusades, Catholic Church, Catholics, Saints, Prophets, Monks, Nuns, Monasteries, Convents
- Curriculum: Medieval History/Middle Ages, French History
Article abstract: In the first half of the twelfth century, Bernard epitomized the monastic ideal and served as adviser and critic to kings, popes, bishops, abbots, and other leading figures in Western Europe.
Early Life
Bernard was born in 1090 in Fontaines-les-Dijon, the son of Tescelin le Sor, a rich and valiant Burgundian knight. Aleth, his mother, was a dutiful wife; her saintly behavior had a considerable impact on her son. At an early age, Bernard was enrolled in a church school at Châtillon-sur-Seine, where he impressed everyone with his love of...
[The entire page is 2099 words long]
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