Bernard of Clairvaux
Medieval monastic saint
Bernard of Clairvaux was a twelfth-century French abbot and theologian, the most influential churchman of his era.
He championed the Cistercian monastic reform, preached the Second Crusade, and wrote extensively on mystical contemplation and divine love.
His eloquence earned him the title "Doctor Mellifluous" (honey-tongued teacher).
He was canonized in 1174.
- Doctor of the ChurchSaint recognized for doctrine
- canonizationOfficial declaration of sainthood
- Knights TemplarMedieval military religious order
- 12th centuryYears 1101-1200
- Hildegard of BingenMedieval polymath and abbess
mysticism · honeyed · asceticism · humility · preaching · contemplation · Song of Songs · divine love · love of God · papal authority · military orders · austerity · Templars · grace · chant · monk · crusade · cloister
- monasticismabbeys, abbey, abbots, abbot, cloister
- 12th CenturyThird Crusade, Richard the Lionheart, Saladin, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II
- Christian ThinkersThomas Aquinas, Augustine, Aquinas, Athanasius, Pope John Paul II
- Divine Comedy charactersDante, Beatrice, Virgil, Francesca, Paolo
- Medieval FiguresGenghis Khan, Joan of Arc, Marco Polo, William the Conqueror, Dante
- medieval learningmedieval universities, trivium, scholasticism, liberal arts, monastery
crusading militancy vs. peaceful engagement
Bernard of ClairvauxFrancis of Assisi
Founder of Franciscans