Abbey
Like those at nearby Uzerche and Limoges, the abbey of St Peter at Beaulieu was a Benedictine foundation of the 9th century, and flourished largely because of its proximity to the Way of St. James. It was established around 855 by Rudolphe of Turenne, Archbishop of Bourges. The first monks came from the abbey of Solignac, near Limoges.
As its wealth grew, the independence of the abbey was threatened by neighbouring feudal lords and it was defended against their depradations by the bishops of Limoges. In the 11th century it was absorbed by Cluny Abbey. Around 1095, the construction of the great abbey church was begun and it continued for nearly half a century. In the fourteenth century, a separate western steeple was erected: this also acted as the town's belfry.
The abbey declined during the Hundred Years' War, which devastated the region. The religious wars completed the process. The town and abbey fell to the Hugenots in October 1569, and it was not until 1663 that the abbey began to function again. It was dissolved with the French Revolution and destroyed, apart from the church.
Read more about this topic: Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Famous quotes containing the word abbey:
“The Abbey always reminds me of that old toast, “Above lofty timbers, the walls around are bare, echoing to our laughter, as though the dead were there.””
—Garrett Fort (1900–1945)
“The Abbey always reminds me of that old toast, “Above lofty timbers, the walls around are bare, echoing to our laughter, as though the dead were there.””
—Garrett Fort (1900–1945)