medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
> John "of the Grating" (d. c. 1170) John was a Breton who became a
> Cistercian. J. founded monasteries at Begard and Buzay before
> becoming bishop of Aleth (which he moved to the place now named St.
> Malo).
Can you give me your source for this ? According to my records, the
Cistercian Abbey of Buzay (Busai, Buze') was founded by Duke Conan III of
Brittany and his mother Ermengarde of Anjou in 1135 and the foundation
ceremonies were presided over by Bernard of Clairvaux in person. The first
Abbot *was* a John, but Conan & Ermengarde defaulted on their promise to
provide funds for the fledgling monastery and the brothers were reduced to a
level of extreme poverty ghastly EVEN by Cistercian standards. Bernard's
brother Nevers who had been appointed to assist John (Novice Master ? Prior
?) wrote to Bernard who came down breathing fire in about 1142 and Conan &
his mama repented of their parsimony under the lash of Bernard's tongue, and
refounded the monastery in c. 1145. Meanwhile Abbot John had had what we
might call a nervous breakdown and had fled from the monastery to become a
hermit. *Even* St Bernard was not able to recall him to his duties (this
must be one of Bernard's few recorded failures!). Another monk was appointed
Abbot of the new foundation. John first abbot of Buzay was NOT the same man
as St John of the Grating. I think the erroneous identification was first
made by Albert le Grand in the 17th century. It looks as if his error is
still being perpetrated by reference works!
Brenda M. C.
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