Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Record Number: 16891
  • Author(s)/Creator(s): France , James.
  • Contributor(s):
  • Title: From Bernard to Bridget: Cistercian Contribution to a Unique Scandinavian Monastic Body
  • Source: CĂ®teaux: Revue d'Histoire Cistercienne 42, ( 1991): Pages 479 - 495.
  • Description:
  • Article Type: Journal Article
  • Subject (See Also): Alvastra, Ostergotland, Sweden- Cistercian Abbey Bernard of Clairvaux, Theologian, Saint Bridget of Sweden, Saint Brigittine Order Cistercian Order Influences Monasticism Nuns Regula Women in Religion
  • Award Note:
  • Geographic Area: Scandinavia
  • Century: 12, 14
  • Primary Evidence:
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  • Abstract: Although separated by two centuries and from opposite ends of Christendom, Saint Bernard and Saint Birgitta (or Bridget) of Vadstena had a great deal in common: a privileged background, a distrust of what was taught in the schools, an exceptional magnetism, and a strength of personality which found its expression in their intervention in the most important political causes of the day. Bridget's contact with the Cistercians at Alvastra, and especially with her confessor and biographer, Prior Peter Olafson, had a profound influence on her and on the Rule for her Order which she dictated to him. The role of her monks- to enable the nuns to pursue their religious duties- was modelled on the male element which had evolved at cistercian nunneries to fulfill the same function. A fervent marian cult, lack of ostentation in architecture, and uniformity and simplicity in the chant are further evidence of cistercian influence. [Reproduced from the publisher's website: http://www.citeaux.org/]
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  • Author's Affiliation:
  • Conference Info: - , -
  • Year of Publication: 1991.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN/ISBN: 07744919