Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Norbertines

Beauport Abbey is located in the village of Kérity, now part of Paimpol. It was founded in 1202 by the Count of Penthièvre and settled by Premonstratensians (= "Norbertines") coming from the Normandy. The (still existing) order was founded around 1120 by Norbert de Xanten and it was a fast growing order. In the early 13th century about 600 Premonstratensian monasteries existed between Cyprus and Sweden. The abbey did well for the first centuries but declined later. In 1532 the abbey became a prebend for a titular abbot, later the the Archbishop of Tours. The French Revolution ended any monastic life here in 1790. The buildings were sold. When Prosper Mérimée inspected the ruined buildings in 1836, some roofs had already collapsed. In 1862 the former abbey was classified as a historic monument, what ended the looting of the buildings, of which some are restored and used now. The ruins of the early Gothic abbey church.

Beauport Abbey is located in the village of Kérity, now part of Paimpol. It was founded in 1202 by the Count of Penthièvre and settled by Premonstratensians (= "Norbertines") coming from the Normandy. The (still existing) order was founded around 1120 by Norbert de Xanten and it was a fast growing order. In the early 13th century about 600 Premonstratensian monasteries existed between Cyprus and Sweden. The abbey did well for the first centuries but declined later. In 1532 the abbey became a prebend for a titular abbot, later the the Archbishop of Tours. The French Revolution ended any monastic life here in 1790. The buildings were sold. When Prosper Mérimée inspected the ruined buildings in 1836, some roofs had already collapsed. In 1862 the former abbey was classified as a historic monument, what ended the looting of the buildings, of which some are restored and used now.

St. Lucius is today part of a theological seminary, overlooking Chur. but is not. A church is known here already since about 400, but probably after 730 a Carolingian church with three apses was built, as a burial place for the local nobility. It was dedicated to Luzius of Chur a legendary saint, who may have been a former King of Brittany or an early Bishop of Chur. This church was handed over in 1140 to the Premonstratensians (aka "Norbertines"), founded in Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert (aka Norbert of Xanten). The Premonstratensians rebuilt and enlarged the existing the church in Romanesque style. Around 1500 the church got a new (meanwhile replaced) Gothic vaulting. The center of the semicircular "ring crypt", dated to the 8th century, is the "confessio", where the relics of Saint Luzius were kept -until 923, when they were stolen. Since 1108 they are stored safely in the near Cathedral of Chur. Still down here is the tomb of Saint Emerita, the legendary sister of Saint Lucius. "Emerita" and "Lucius" are "talking names", just like "Benedictus" and his sister "Scholastica".

St. Lucius is today part of a theological seminary, overlooking Chur. but is not. A church is known here already since about 400, but probably after 730 a Carolingian church with three apses was built, as a burial place for the local nobility. It was dedicated to Luzius of Chur a legendary saint, who may have been a former King of Brittany or an early Bishop of Chur. This church was handed over in 1140 to the Premonstratensians (aka "Norbertines"), founded in Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert (aka Norbert of Xanten). The Premonstratensians rebuilt and enlarged the existing the church in Romanesque style. Around 1500 the church got a new (meanwhile replaced) Gothic vaulting. Entering the semicircular "ring crypt", dated to the 8th century. In the center is a "confessio", where the relics of Saint Luzius were kept -until 923, when they were stolen. Since 1108 they are stored safely in the near Cathedral of Chur.