Cluniac Reforms

The Cluniac Reforms also called a Benedictine reorder were a series of reorient within medieval monasticism of the Western Church focused on restoring the traditional monastic life, encouraging art, as well as caring for the poor. The movement began within the Benedictine order at Cluny Abbey, founded in 910 by William I, Duke of Aquitaine 875–918. The reforms were largely carried out by Saint Odo c. 878 – 942 as well as spread throughout France Burgundy, Provence, Auvergne, Poitou, into England the English Benedictine Reform, and through much of Italy and Spain.

The Cistercian Order

In 1075 Robert de Molesme, a Benedictine monk from Cluny Abbey, had obtained the permission of Pope Gregory VII to found a monastery at Molesme in Burgundy. At Molesme, Robert tried to restore monastery practice to the simple and severe quotation of the original control of Saint Benedict, called "Strict Observance". Being only partly successful in this at Molesme, Robert in 1098 led a band of 21 monks from their abbey at Molesme to develop a new monastery. The monks acquired a plot of marsh land just south of Dijon called Cîteaux Latin: "Cistercium" and style about building a new monastery there which became Cîteaux Abbey, the mother Abbey of the newly founded Cistercian Order.