Bernard of Clairvaux

1090 – 20 August 1153

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) was a French Cistercian abbot, mystic, and one of the most influential churchmen of the twelfth century. As founding abbot of Clairvaux Abbey he drove the rapid expansion of the Cistercian order, helped end a papal schism, secured the condemnation of Peter Abelard, and preached the Second Crusade. He was canonized in 1174 and later declared a Doctor of the Church.

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Life events

Born at Fontaine-lès-Dijon, Burgundy
1090

Bernard was born in 1090 near Dijon to a noble Burgundian family, the third of seven children.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Educated at the school of the canons of Saint-Vorles at Châtillon-sur-Seine
c. 1099

Bernard received his early education in grammar and rhetoric from the secular canons at Châtillon-sur-Seine.

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Entered the monastery of Cîteaux with about thirty companions
1113

Bernard joined the struggling new Cistercian community at Cîteaux, bringing with him a large group of relatives and friends he had persuaded to follow.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Founded Clairvaux Abbey and became its abbot
25 June 1115

Sent out from Cîteaux, Bernard founded the abbey of Clairvaux in Champagne and led it for the rest of his life as its first abbot.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Championed the Knights Templar at the Council of Troyes
c. 1129

Bernard supported the new military order of the Knights Templar, whose rule was approved at the Council of Troyes, and later wrote in praise of the new knighthood.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Supported Pope Innocent II in the papal schism
1130 – 1138

Bernard's advocacy across Europe helped win recognition for Innocent II against the antipope Anacletus II, ending the schism.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Secured the condemnation of Peter Abelard at the Council of Sens
c. 1141

Bernard led the opposition to Abelard's theology, obtaining a condemnation that the pope confirmed.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Former pupil elected Pope Eugenius III
February 1145

A Cistercian monk trained under Bernard became Pope Eugenius III, greatly increasing Bernard's influence in church affairs.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Preached the Second Crusade at Vézelay
31 March 1146

At the pope's request Bernard preached the crusade at Vézelay, rousing huge enthusiasm; the expedition's later failure weighed heavily on him.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died at Clairvaux Abbey
20 August 1153

Bernard died at Clairvaux in 1153; by then the Cistercian order had grown to hundreds of houses, and he was canonized in 1174.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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