The Cluniac Reforms
The disintegration of the Carolingian Empire led to anarchy. The invasions of the Normans, Moors, and Hungarians into Western Europe, along with daily hardships, were not conducive to the contemplative lifestyle of monks. Monasteries were looted and burned, forcing monks to flee. It became impossible to adhere to the rules governing monastic life. A few deeply devout men saved monasticism by reforming the monasteries and restoring the prominence of moral values. The execution of these reforms was fraught with danger: some abbots striving to enforce the Benedictine Rule were even poisoned.
When Odo, the abbot of Cluny, arrived at one of Gaul's most famous monasteries in Fleury, he was greeted with weapons in hand. It was a testament to Odo's courage and faith that he was eventually admitted. The monastery of Cluny in Burgundy was founded in 910 by William the Pious, Duke of Aquitaine. It was placed directly under the authority of Rome, freeing it from later local interference. The first abbots dedicated their lives to the reform, implementing it not only in France but also in the German Empire, Italy, Spain, and England. Initially, the reformed abbeys maintained their independence, but gradually a close connection developed between them and Cluny. The autonomous structure of Benedictine monasteries was replaced by a feudal network of relationships. Thus, the Cluniac congregation was established and officially recognized by Pope Urban II.
The Cluniac order was aristocratic, with most monks coming from the nobility. Manual labor was no longer considered suitable for monks (most of whom were ordained priests). Instead, their time was largely occupied by a meticulously structured liturgy. Lay brothers worked the fields and in workshops. Cluny's organization was based on a feudal hierarchy. The abbot wielded absolute authority and often designated his successor. All monasteries of the order were under his jurisdiction, and they were not permitted the status of abbey but were instead classified as priories. The five privileged priories, known as the "Five Daughters of Cluny," each had their own affiliated monasteries. The abbot appointed the priors, while the heads of the affiliated monasteries were selected by the heads of the five privileged priories. Close ties with Cluny were maintained, as every monk was required to visit the mother monastery at least once in their lifetime, where novices were formally inducted into the order.
From the mid-10th century, the Cluniac order grew with astonishing speed. At its height in the early 12th century, it included nearly 1,500 monasteries. The popes significantly supported the order, with several having been Cluniac monks themselves. However, the rigorous and demanding schedule of ceremonies contributed to the decline of the order by the late 12th century.
The 10th-century reform in England was short-lived, but monastic life facilitated an extraordinary flourishing of the arts. The reforms in Flanders and Lorraine, stemming from the Anglo-Saxon monasteries' 10th-century changes, proved more enduring. The independent Lotharingian movement originated in Gorze, near Metz, and led to the reform of seventy monasteries. The reforms reached Rome and other Italian centers but failed to take root in these locations. However, a cordial relationship developed between Monte Cassino and Cluny. In the 11th century, outside France, Cluny's influence was strongest in Spain. In the German Empire, the emperors enthusiastically supported all reforms of monasticism and religious life.
In newly converted countries, monasteries not only introduced Christianity but also played a vital role in spreading culture and craftsmanship.
G. Zarnecki "Kolostorok, szerzetesek, barátok", Corvina kiadó, 1986