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Record Number: 8187 Author(s)/Creator(s): Barriere , Bernadette. Contributor(s): Title: The Cistercian Convent of Coyroux in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries [The article considers the implications of the harsh living conditions at the Coyroux Cistercian convent. Title note supplied by Feminae.]. Source URL: Gesta 31, 2 (1992): 76-82. Link Info target = '_blank'>Gesta 31, 2 (1992): 76-82. Link Info Description: Article Type: Journal Article Subject (See Also): Architecture- Religious Brive, Correze, France- Priory of Coyroux, a Women's House Dependent on the Male Monastery of Obazine Cistercian Order Monastic Enclosure Monasticism Award Note: Geographic Area: France Century: 12-13 Primary Evidence: Illustrations: Twelve Figures. See the linked article in JSTOR to view these illustrations. Figure One Plan of monastery of Coyroux. Figure Two Cross-section elevation of Coyroux. Figure Three Church of Coyroux. Figure Four Monastery of Obazine. Figure Five Church of Coyroux, original access from the cloister. Figure Six Church of Coyroux, section of rib vault. Figure Seven Church of Coyroux, rib vaulting of nave. Figure Eight Church of Coyroux, painted mortar joints. Figure Nine Cloister of Coyroux. Figure Ten Monastery of Coyroux, gate house. Figure Eleven Monastery of Coyroux, heated room. Figure Twelve Monastery of Coyroux, section of aqueduct. Table: Abstract: The Cistercian convent of Coyroux in the province of Limousin was founded by Etienne of Obazine in 1142 to house women religious in strict enclosure. Etienne had also founded the nearby monastery at Obazine, whose monks performed the necessary ecclesiastical duties for the nuns. Unlike Obazine, Coyroux was built in an inhospitable and isolated site, and the buildings of the convent were inadequate in size and poorly constructed. Every effort was made to enforce enclosure of the nuns by means of gates, grilles and curtains at all possible points of contact with the outside world. It may be that the harsh realities of Coyroux represent the implementation of the concepts of Etienne of Obazine about the way of life proper to women in religion; it is also possible that the convent was built stingily and cheaply because the monks, who were burdened with maintaining the nuns, hoped that the enterprise would soon be abandoned by the women. Yet it seems likely as well that the members of the female community willingly accepted their difficult way of life, as the expression of a religious ideal in which they themselves believed completely [Reproduced by permission of the International Center of Medieval Art.]. Related Resources: Author's Affiliation: University of Limoges Conference Info: - , - Year of Publication: 1992. Language: English ISSN/ISBN: Not Available 0

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