Herluin of Bec

West side of the Tour Saint-Nicolas, between the ancient pottery to its left and the monks' residential building to its right

Blessed Herluin otherwise Hellouin (995/997–August 26, 1078) was a knight at the court of Gilbert of Brionne and subsequently a Benedictine monk who founded the Abbey of Our Lady of Bec, Normandy.[2]

Early life

Herluin was born around 995/997 in Bonneville-Aptot, according to Mabillon, of Norman nobility. Ansgot his father was a Danish Viking follower of Rollo, while his mother, Eloise, was related to the counts of Flanders. In his youth he was a brave soldier to whom the Duke Robert gave more than one mark of esteem. Later, being poorly paid for his services by Gislbert, Herluin began to look on the profession of arms with disgust. One day in 1034, amid a frightful melée where he had hardly any hope of survival, he vowed to drop the sword and put on the garb of the monks, if he should escape so great a peril.

Monastic career

He survived and retired as a hermit to settle in one of his fields,[3] in about 1041.[4] Quickly joined by several companions, he laid the foundation of a monastery. Herbert, Bishop of Lisieux, dedicated on 25 March 1034 the chapel built by Herluin and ordained him as head of the small community. In 1034/1035, the Duke granted land to the abbey. Herluin built the cloister and the monastic buildings and adopted the Rule of St. Benedict.[3]

Seal of Bec Abbey showing Hurluin with Mary and Jesus

Bonneville however was a place difficult of access, and lacking water. Herluin and the brothers resolved to leave, and in about 1039 settled in Bec down the valley. His students included Lanfranc and Saint Anselm, future archbishops of Canterbury.

The monastery experienced significant growth and founded a second church at Le Bec-Hellouin. William the Conqueror endowed the abbey, as did his sons.[3]

Students of Herluin at Bec included Pope Alexander II; Theobald of Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury; William Bona Anima, Archbishop of Rouen; Guitmund, Bishop of Aversa; Arnost, Bishop of Rochester; Turold of Brémoy, Bishop of Bayeux; Yves, Bishop of Chartres; Fulk of Dammartin, Bishop of Beauvais; Gilbert Crispin, Abbot of Westminster.

Herluin died on August 26, 1078; at his side was Roger, abbot of Lessay.[3] His funeral was presided over by Gilbert Fitz Osbern, Bishop of Évreux.[5][3]

The remains of Herluin can still be seen in today's abbey church, with some documents of his. He is considered Blessed and his feast day is August 26. He is often referred to as Saint Herluin but there is no evidence of canonisation.

References

  1. ↑ Wilmot-Buxton (1915), p. 20.
  2. ↑ Ferdinand Hoefer, Nouvelle Biographie générale, vol.24, (Paris, Firmin-Didot, 1858), pp. 348-9
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Véronique Gazeau (préf. David Bates et Michel Parisse), Normannia monastica (Xe-XIIe siècle): II-Prosopography des abbés bénédictins (pp.7-9). Caen, Publications du CRAHM, 2007; ISBN 978-2-902685-44-8
  4. ↑ François de Beaurepaire, Les noms des communes et anciennes paroisses de l'Eure (éditions Picard, Paris, 1981), p. 70
  5. ↑ Pierre Bouet and François Neveux, Les évêques normands du XIe siècle: Colloque de Cerisy-la-Salle (30 septembre - 3 octobre 1993), (Caen, Presses universitaires de Caen, 1995). (ISBN 2-84133-021-4), ( Les évêques normands de 985 à 1150), p. 19-35.
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