Akademik

A reform of the Benedictines, which grew out of the abbey of Cluny, in Burgundy, in 910. The Cluniacs' organisation was more centralised than the Benedictines': daughter-houses, established as priories, remained dependent upon the mother-house, whose *abbot had control over all other foundations. This arrangement allowed for uniformity both of practice and observance. Cluniacs used a more elaborate ritual than did the Benedictines, and their architectural ornamentation was distinctly lavish; even their vestments were more expensive than those of other orders. St Bernard, a *Cistercian, said of them, 'Oh ye professors of poverty, what does gold do in a holy place?' Learning and scholarship was the centre of their way, rather than labour in the fields. Their first English house was founded at Lewes in 1077. -

Cf. Alien priory