Bernard of Clairvaux

Who/What: abbot of the Cistercian monastery at Clairvaux; the Cistercian order of monks grew rapidly under Bernard’s leadership; Bernard was a defender of traditional Catholic faith as well as an opponent of newer, progressive ideas emanating from cathedral schools; noted antagonist of Peter Abelard (p. 375)

When: 1090-1153

Where: abbot of Clairvaux

Significance: showed the attitude of monastic learning and traditionalism; rejected newer ideas and stressed traditional monastic ways of living and scholarship