Clairvaux Abbey, founded in 1115 and governed by the future Saint Bernard until his death in 1153, housed an exceptional library which was one of the most important in the western world. While the abbey enjoyed remarkable prosperity as early as the 1130s, the initial collection was formed from the donations of the first monks to arrive at Clairvaux and then from the Abbey’s own scriptorium, as well as from donations. At the end of the 12th century, Clairvaux library held around 350 volumes in different parts of the abbey, depending on their intended use. During the 13th century, the library expanded through purchases, attaining 1,000 volumes by the beginning of the 14th century. The collection continued to grow throughout the middle ages, as is attested to by an inventory drafted in 1472 for l’abbé Pierre de Virey by Jean de Voivre, the then librarian of Clairvaux, which recorded 1,790 works. Continuer la lecture
Liber Pilosus: Cistercian bindings from Clairvaux Abbey bound in seal skin
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