The Cistercian abbey of La Frenade was founded between 1147 and 1148 from the monastery of Notre-Dame d’Obazine (Corrèze); Stephen of Vielzot (or of Obazine) was the driving force behind both houses. It is possible that a monastic cell already existed on the site as early as 1140.
Photo by JLPC, on Wikimedia
Étienne appointed the monk Robert, one of his disciples at Obazine, as the first abbot of La Frenade. In 1217, the order’s general chapter had to intervene to bring the abbey back into proper observance of the Rule. In turn, in 1235, La Frenade was entrusted with the responsibility of settling the affairs of other monasteries, including that of Notre-Dame de Cadouin (Dordogne). The abbey was severely damaged during the Wars of Religion, and its buildings were left in ruins; the condition of the church was such that the refectory had to be repurposed for liturgical use. The abbey’s archive was also lost at that time.
From 1473, La Frenade was governed under the commendatory system, and the negligence of its abbots made recovery very difficult. In 1723, records show only one monk remained in the community. After the Revolution, most of the abbey’s buildings were lost when the property passed into private hands. It is now publicly owned. One wall of the church survives, along with the chapter house, which has been restored.
Photo by Jack ma, on Wikimedia
Affiliation of La Frenade
According to Originum Cisterciensium (L. Janauschek, 1877)- AUBERT, R. (1977). Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques. Vol. 18. París: Letouzey et Ané
- BARRIÈRE, Bernadette (1977). L’abbaye cistercienne d’Obazine en Bas-Limousin. Les origines – Le patrimoine. Tulle: Conseil G. De la Corrèze
- BARRIÈRE, Bernadette; dir. (1998). Moines en Limousin. L'aventure cistercienne. Presses universitaires de Limoges
- BEAUNIER, Dom (1910). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France. Vol. 3: Auch, Bordeaux. Abbaye de Ligugé
- COUSIN, Eugène (1882). Histoire de Cognac, Jarnac, Segonzac et d'un grand nombre de localités. Bordeus: Gounouilhou
- JANAUSCHEK, Leopoldus (1877). Originum Cisterciensium. Vol. 1. Viena
- SAINT-MAUR, Congregació de (1720). Gallia Christiana in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa. Vol. 2. París: Typographia Regia
- SALET, Francis (1969). L'ancienne abbaye cistercienne de la Frenade. Bulletin Monumental, vol. 127
The Abbey of La Frenade is located southwest of Cognac