Peter Monoculus (died 29 October 1185) was a Cistercian monk who served as the abbot of Igny (1169–1179) and Clairvaux (1179–1185).
Peter was born in Italy to a noble family. He was sent to France to be educated and there chose to enter the Cistercian order. He became a novice at Igny, where he rose to be prior. He was eventually elected abbot of Valroy [fr]. While he was abbot of Valroy he was struck by a serious disease that caused him the loss of one eye, hence his nickname, monoculus, 'the one-eyed'. He also suffered a fistula that a surgeon deemed inoperable, but he survived.[1]
In 1169, he was elected abbot of Igny and returned his original monastery. In 1177, during a visitation of Igny, Abbot Gerard of Clairvaux was murdered by a monk named Hugh of Bazoches. Hugh had been sent to Igny by Gerard for poor behaviour. Rather than punish him, Peter had him put in the infirmary. That same year, he had been one of ten men recommended for a cardinalate to Pope Alexander III.[1]
In 1179, Peter was elected abbot of Clairvaux. In 1180, he was conducting his visitation of Trois-Fontaines Abbey when Abbot Alard was murdered in the church by one of the monks. In 1185, he was invited to visit Pope Lucius III at Verona, where he took the pope's confession and gave him communion. He died at Clairvaux on 29 October 1185. His biography was written by his friend, the Benedictine Thomas of Reuil. He includes many anecdotes indicating Peter's sanctity. He is today regarded as beatified and his reputed miracles are listed in the Acta Sanctorum.[1] His feast day is 18 May. Some of his stories were incorporated into the Old IcelandicMaríu saga under the heading "Af Pétro Clarevallensis".[2]
Merton, Thomas (2002). "Blessed Peter 'Monoculus,' Abbott of Igny, then of Clairvaux, France". Cistercian Studies Quarterly. 37 (4): 445–451.
Wolf, Kirsten (2013). The Legends of the Saints in Old Norse-Icelandic Prose. University of Toronto Press.
April 19, 2024
peter, monoculus, died, october, 1185, cistercian, monk, served, abbot, igny, 1169, 1179, clairvaux, 1179, 1185, peter, born, italy, noble, family, sent, france, educated, there, chose, enter, cistercian, order, became, novice, igny, where, rose, prior, eventu. Peter Monoculus died 29 October 1185 was a Cistercian monk who served as the abbot of Igny 1169 1179 and Clairvaux 1179 1185 Peter was born in Italy to a noble family He was sent to France to be educated and there chose to enter the Cistercian order He became a novice at Igny where he rose to be prior He was eventually elected abbot of Valroy fr While he was abbot of Valroy he was struck by a serious disease that caused him the loss of one eye hence his nickname monoculus the one eyed He also suffered a fistula that a surgeon deemed inoperable but he survived 1 In 1169 he was elected abbot of Igny and returned his original monastery In 1177 during a visitation of Igny Abbot Gerard of Clairvaux was murdered by a monk named Hugh of Bazoches Hugh had been sent to Igny by Gerard for poor behaviour Rather than punish him Peter had him put in the infirmary That same year he had been one of ten men recommended for a cardinalate to Pope Alexander III 1 In 1179 Peter was elected abbot of Clairvaux In 1180 he was conducting his visitation of Trois Fontaines Abbey when Abbot Alard was murdered in the church by one of the monks In 1185 he was invited to visit Pope Lucius III at Verona where he took the pope s confession and gave him communion He died at Clairvaux on 29 October 1185 His biography was written by his friend the Benedictine Thomas of Reuil He includes many anecdotes indicating Peter s sanctity He is today regarded as beatified and his reputed miracles are listed in the Acta Sanctorum 1 His feast day is 18 May Some of his stories were incorporated into the Old Icelandic Mariu saga under the heading Af Petro Clarevallensis 2 Notes edit a b c Merton 2002 Wolf 2013 p 319 Bibliography editMerton Thomas 2002 Blessed Peter Monoculus Abbott of Igny then of Clairvaux France Cistercian Studies Quarterly 37 4 445 451 Wolf Kirsten 2013 The Legends of the Saints in Old Norse Icelandic Prose University of Toronto Press Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Peter Monoculus amp oldid 1179457346, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
