143. CATHEDRAL OF PUY-EN-VELAY. CLOISTERS
In the early part of the twelfth century Robert d'Arbrisselles founded several double monasteries for men and women, on the model of those built in Spain in the ninth century; that of Fontevrault was not more successful as a monastic experiment than the rest, but it gave rise to a number of superb buildings. The abbey itself contributed in no slight degree to the progress of architecture, which developed in Anjou at the dawn of the twelfth century, and manifested itself principally at Angers in works the supreme importance of which we have dwelt upon in the early part of this volume.
The episcopal churches also owned claustral buildings for the accommodation of the cathedral clergy who lived together in communities according to the ancient usage which obtained down to the fifteenth century. The Cathedrals of Aix, Arles, and Cavaillon, in Provence, of Elne, in Roussillon, of Puy, in Velay, of St. Bertrand, in Comminges, still preserve their cloisters of the twelfth century.
The Abbey of La Chaise Dieu, in Auvergne, founded in the eleventh century, was one of the monastic schools which rose to great importance, mainly through the talents of its monkish architect and sculptor, Guinamaud, who established its reputation as an art centre. By the close of the twelfth century La Chaise Dieu was turning out proficients in sculpture, painting, and goldsmith's work.
The buildings of La Chaise Dieu were reconstructed in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
The order of preaching friars, founded by St. Dominic in the early part of the thirteenth century, is noted rather for its intellectual than for its architectural achievements; the fame of the Dominicans rests upon their preaching and writings, not upon the number or magnificence of their monasteries.
About the same period St. Francis of Assisi founded the order of minor friars, who professed absolute poverty—a profession which, however, did not prevent their becoming richer at last than their forerunners. These two orders—preaching and mendicant friars, apparently formed in protest against the supremacy of the Benedictines—were strongly supported by St. Louis, who also protected other orders, such as the Augustinians and Carmelites, by way of balancing the power of the Clunisians and Cistercians.
144. ABBEY OF LA CHAISE DIEU (AUVERGNE). CLOISTERS