Cluny: In Search of God's Lost Empire

by Edwin Mullins

A monastery like no other, this is Cluny’s story from humble beginnings in the early Middle Ages, through centuries of immense wealth and sacred glory, to its decline, destroyed by the French Revolution. Much of Cluny’s enduring legacy lies in great cultural innovations sponsored by the abbey.

Genres: History, Religion, Medieval, Medieval History, France, Architecture, Christianity

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, brief introduction to Cluniac monasticism. Cluny was the biggest, richest, and most powerful religious centre of the 11th and 12th centuries; its abbey church was enormous and extremely influential. As religious priorities changed, Cluny declined in importance and the buildings were finally almost entirely destroyed during the French Revolution and the following decades. I enjoyed the book but longed for pictures of the architecture and manuscripts Mullins discusses.

[Armando Maese Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the historical content and my interest in the subject, I enjoyed this book. Unfortunately the author's biases seep in at places, from 'mysogynistic' Christendom, labels of fundamentalism and narrow-mindedness, to the 'impossibility' and foolhardiness of Peter the Venerable's mission to reach the Islamic world through reasoned argument (although he does admire the humanist ethos and caritas exemplified by Peter in his friendships). He is, it seems, a historian enamored with the exterior and material world of Cluny and the Christian middle ages, but not the inner world(s) that created them.

[Leslie Moellering · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the interesting history related, I can't recommend this book due to the anti-church bias. Anyone who can claim the church as a whole to be misogynist doesn't know the church. And that's just one of many comments the author makes.

[Tom]

wonderful primer on the influence of monastic communities and their effect on French Culture, Society and other monasteries beginning around 950 AD.

[Dan Copp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good storytelling in the parts about the lives of the nobles and abbots associated with Cluny. The architectural description was detailed but could have used more illustrations. Overall a good story and intro to the Cluniac order's history.

[BEC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an easy quick read. In my opinion, there is nothing too deep to ponder on. It felt more like just a factual history of the Cluny Order. I did enjoy the last chapter as I could related it to many other subjects I have recently read about.

[Bill Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK review of the history of a significant element in history. Kind of dry, so not a four or five star. Worth reading.

[Menno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, although I would have liked a little bit more of an in-depth look and overview of Cluny and its history.

[Titus M.P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

A historian's take on a topic that is not just historical. He seems to have missed the real point on more than one occasion.

[Craig W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cluny began as a small, remote monastery converted from a hunting lodge in 10th century Burgundy, but during the 11th and 12th centuries it was one of the richest and most influential institutions in Christendom. It was an engine of religious reform in its early days when many daughter priories and abbeys were established or absorbed throughout Europe. But as it grew in wealth and influence, it became the target of reform itself.

The author focuses on the personalities that established and shaped Cluny and shows convincingly how they built an unequalled network of monasteries, grew the wealth of Cluny itself and influenced popes and kings. Large sections are devoted to Abbots Hugh of the 11th century and Peter the Venerable of the early 12th century. Hugh brought masons from Italy to built the Romanesque abbey church, which was the largest church built to that time and remained so until St. Peter’s in Rome was built 400 years later. Whether this was the first instance of Romanesque architecture is uncertain, but it was the stimulus for the spread of the style. Both Hugh and Peter were instrumental in promoting the first two Crusades.

As Cluny matured, the initial motivation to seek out lives of poverty and prayer was subverted by the attractions of wealth and ease. During the 12th century this provoked an extended confrontation between Peter the Venerable and Bernard of Clairvaux who was leading the next phase of monastic reforms. The book also includes an interesting chapter on how Peter developed supportive relationships with Abelard and Heloise.

Further chapters show how the popularity of pilgrimages, particularly to Santiago de Campostello and relations with kings, especially those of England and Spain enriched Cluny and a concluding chapter synopsizes the decline of Cluny until it was destroyed in the French revolution.

The book is written in a journalistic style, not as academic history. It tells the story well but leaves questions that bear deeper examination. The subtitle, “In Search of God’s Lost Empire” causes the reader to desire more discussion of the theological motivation behind the accumulation of wealth and power in a purportedly spiritual establishment. One wishes for more discussion of how the abbots themselves felt about the increasing wealth and dilution of spirituality. The author also points out that little is known of how the network of hundreds of properties were actually administered. The brief coverage of the time period from A.D. 1250 to 1600 hints at both decline and continued wealth and influence, which only piques the imagination without satisfying. There are no footnotes as befits the narrative style, but there is a substantial bibliography for those who desire to read further.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the author had used photographs !

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Edwin Mullins' book on the Cluny Abbey was a surprising read in that I had never realised before the power and influence that some religious leaders exercised during the Middle Ages. Cluny was founded by the Duke of Burgundy in the 11th century; it was unique in its time in that the Duke established the Abbey so that it reported solely to the Pope - the Abbot of Cluny had no feudal overlords or local bishops to contend with.

This unique foundation was leveraged by a series of wise, influential and long-serving Abbots that took Cluny from humble beginnings to being the master monastery for thousands of other cloisters and commanding vast endowments and income from their lands. The Abbots, especially Hugh of Semur, used these riches to construct one of the greatest cathedrals of the time, as well as to further the influence of the Cluniac order. Hugh was one of the most influential men in Christendom, a confidante of the Pope, the Holy Roman Emperor and the kings of Spain, England and France. Cluny played a key role in the establishment of the Crusades, in the spread of the Church to Plantagenet England, the rift between the Pope and the Emperor and in the tragedy of the doomed philosopher Peter Abelard.

Covering the hundreds of years between Cluny's foundation and its ultimate destruction by a trio of greedy businessmen, Mullins' book is necessarily cursory at times, but he does manage to convey the grandeur of Cluny and the wisdom of its greatest leaders (and the folly of the not-so-great). I feel, however, that the author has been badly let down by his publisher. A book that talks so lovingly of grand buildings and art, and describes great and influential men deserves a sumptuous treatment. I would expect at least some plates showing portraits of the main players, photos of some of the many extant buildings Mullins discusses as well as of the very few museum pieces that still remain of the great Cluny church. Instead the book is just text, with the odd desultory thumbnail drawing tossed in at intervals. These drawings are uncaptioned, and it is left up to the reader to surmise what they represent. Cluny is a really interesting book let down badly by a publisher that has cranked out an el cheapo edition that fails to breathe life into it.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clearly written recapitulation of a period in the development of Western European Civilization (11th and 12th centuries c.e.) through the lens of the rise, spread, and decline of the Cluny monastic empire. Cluny was influential in so many of the defining events of the era: e.g., 1st Crusade, lay investiture conflict, establishing the pilgramage to Santiago de Compostella, Abelard and Heloise, architectural developments. Relative to my research, it makes clear that at this point in history, the Papacy had yet to achieve monopoly over religious affairs, but was in fact competing for dominance in a feudal world in both secular and relgious affairs with secular princes and monastic institutions (not just Cluny but also the Cistercians).

[Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

At best, a potted history of interest perhaps to someone who is coming newly to the subject and doesn't yet know anything about Cluny. The first chapters hold together, describing the development of the church in the Middle Ages, but the text eventually wears thin, as though the author is filling in space for a publishing contract, or is simply unsure how to proceed. Cluny, or what is left of it today, is a fascinating place with an equally fascinating history, and worth a visit. This is not really the book to take with you though, if you can find The Companion Guide to Burgundy, which should not be difficult.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating history of the monastery at Cluny, the most influential religious foundation in the early middle ages. The author traces Cluny's rise and fall, discusses what life was like at Cluny, and explains Cluny's contributions to medieval society. Very interesting, well-written, and sympathetic book on a topic that does not get the attention it deserves.

[John Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. I learned quite a bit since I knew little of European church history in the Middle Ages. The book would have been better with more and better illustrations given the emphasis on the architecture of Cluny and the buildings it influenced as well as sculpture, painting and illuminated manuscripts. Thank goodness for the Internet and Google Images.

[Trenchologist · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was definitely interested in learning more about this place and having a full story known instead of a sketch of details. I got that from the book. But I also found it one where my attention wandered in parts and the writing itself dry, in a simpler fact-to-fact structuring that, while informative and thorough, didn't enliven the subject or bring its details to life.

[Abigail Hartman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars because it has useful information and provides an introduction to Cluny and its milieu, but no more than that: it suffers from the patronizing arrogance of secular modernity which cherry-picks the “good” elements (artistic and architectural achievements) out of a past it generally looks down upon as dark, bigoted, morbid, and frighteningly religious.

[Andy Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book which gives an interesting welcome concise account of the Cluniacs and their Abbey together with an overall description of how they fitted into national and international life. I also appreciated being reminded of how they related to the Cistercian order and the new orders of Friars.

[Bill Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short biography of 'God's lost empire.' It would have been a distinct pleasure to lay eyes on it while in its prime. Barring that, this work gives you enough information to allow your imagination to recreate the abbey in your mind's eye.

[Mary Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable history of the French Abbey of Cluny. Once a monastic "empire" the remnants of this vast monastery in Burgundy tell a fascinating story of the rise and fall of its power in church history and European society. After reading this book my visit to Cluny last fall is more meaningful.

[Foggygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An illuminating read about one of Christianty's most influential periods. Highly recomended for anyone interested in the era.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just started this book. Kind of amazing to think of this lost seat of religious and political power in the southern france. Today....a ruin.

[Tim Mcmahon · Rating 4 out of 5]

very well written and evocative and a good overview of the history of Cluny. his description of the remains of the Abbey was heartbreaking.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of the Monastery of Cluny from its heyday in the high middle ages to its final destruction in the 18th century.