Saint Robert of Arbrissel

Robert of Arbrissel (c. 1045 – 1116) was an itinerant preacher, and founder of Fontevraud Abbey. He was born at Arbrissel (near Retiers, Brittany) and died at Orsan Priory in the present department of Cher. Robert's life is primarily known from two biographies (vitae) as well as from a number of letters by other admirers and critics. The first vita was written by Baudri of Dol, bishop of Dol-en-Bretagne (formerly abbot of the monastery of Saint-Pierre of Bourgueil), shortly after Robert's death in 1116 and was likely commissioned by Petronilla. The second vita, the Vita Altera, was written by a certain Andreas, possibly Robert's chaplain and the head of Fontevraud's male priory St. Jean and is centered more on the final six months of Robert's life. While it has been suggested that Andreas was commissioned by Petronille as well, others have suggested that Andreas wrote on his behalf for the community. As both authors knew Robert personally, it is likely that the events described in these vitae are more historic than typically can be assumed in this type of medieval genre. Robert was born around 1045 at Arbrissel in Brittany, the son of Domalioch and Orguende. His father was a parish priest. Married priests were not entirely uncommon prior to the Gregorian reform. He probably succeeded his father as priest to the parish. Seeking to improve his education, he went to Paris where he spent some years in study, perhaps under Anselm of Laon and later displayed considerable theological knowledge. The date and place of his ordination are unknown. Sometime prior to 1076, Robert returned to his parish and supported the election of the noblemen Sylvester de La Guerche as Bishop of Rennes. The election was a simoniac one, meaning that Sylvester, "who has been described as sword-bearing illiterate who had never bee ordained a priest", bought himself into the office.