Saint Theobald of Marly

Theobald of Marly (French: Saint Thibaut, Thibault, Thiébaut; c. 1200 – 8 December 1247) was a French abbot and saint. He was born at the castle of Marly, Montmorency, and was trained as a knight. He served as a knight at the court of Philip Augustus, though he later entered the Cistercian monastery of Vaux-de-Cernay in 1220. He was elected prior in 1230 and ninth abbot in 1235. Theobald was the son of crusader Bouchard de Marly, a member of the Montmorency family, and Mathilde de Châteaufort (granddaughter of Louis VI). He was born circa 1200 CE at the Château de Marly. As was the custom at the time for the son of a nobleman, he received a military education but in a Christian environment. During his youth, he showed a spiritual and religious nature. He spent much of his time in prayer, and was often to be found in the church of the sisters in Port Royal, which had been founded in 1204 by the wife of Matthew de Montmorency. His family was a benefactor of both the Vaux-de-Cernay and Port Royal monasteries, and close to the court of Philip II of France. Bouchard had given the monastery such great wealth and property that he was considered its "second founder". Theobald became a knight at the court of Philip. Around 1220, Theobald discussed entering the religious life with Thomas, the abbot of Vaux-de-Cernay. Thomas advised him to think about his desire for religious life as a Cistercian, as it would be more austere than the life led before. In 1226, he joined the abbey, where he was elected prior in 1230 and ninth abbot in 1235. During his tenure as abbot he oversaw the repair and expanded the abbey, including the maintenance of existing buildings, and grew the number of monks. Following the Cistercian model of adhering to the Rule of Saint Benedict, he dressed in a simple if not threadbare fashion. He lived in the midst of the community as an ordinary fellow-brother, surpassing everyone in his love of poverty, silence and prayer.