The Abbey in Vendome

A photo of the Abbey de la Sainte Trinite - Vendôme, France

The Abbey in Vendome

Legends underpin so many historical stories it’s hard to tell what is fact and what is fiction. I’ve found a factual explanation for the legend behind the foundation of the Holy Trinity Abbey in Vendôme, France.

Cast of characters

In 1040, the Count of Anjou was 34-year old Geoffrey II1. He was a terrible man with territorial ambitions which meant he fought with almost all his neighbours.

A contemporary chronicle written about the Dukes describes him as:

Geoffrey, count of the Angevins, nicknamed Martel, a treacherous man in every respect, frequently inflicted assaults and intolerable pressure on his neighbours.

Gesta Normannorum Ducum (Deeds of the Norman Dukes) by William of Jumièges

He married Agnes, from Burgundy, the widow of Duke William V of Aquitaine. This was a marriage of convenience because by marrying her, he wanted to claim Aquitaine for himself. At the time, Aquitaine covered most of present-day south-western France. Agnes had other royal connections too, as she was a granddaughter of a King of Italy.

A painting of Agnes of Burgundy
Agnes of Burgundy

Agnes is my 25 x great-grandmother.

Legend

There is a 12th century legend2 3 surrounding the foundation of the Holy Trinity Abbey in Vendôme.

At the time, around 1032, Geoffrey and Agnes lived in the castle in Vendôme. On one Sunday morning, they looked out of a northern-facing window which overlooked the town and the surrounding meadows. In the middle of these meadows, there was a fountain which provided the town with its water. As they watched over the town, Geoffrey and Agnes saw a long star “in the shape of a spear” fall into the fountain. Two others followed it in rapid succession.

The Count “put on more dignified clothing” and the couple went straight to the Church of St Martin. They asked the priest to say mass in honour of the Holy Trinity. Geoffrey consulted with the bishop, asking him what he should do about this vision. The bishop declared that the only thing to do would be to build an abbey dedicated to the Holy Trinity, right on top of the fountain so monks could praise God.

A photo of the Gothic entrance into the Abbey - Vendôme, France.
The Gothic entrance into the Abbey – Vendôme, France

Taking the legend apart:

  • On 31 May 1040, Geoffrey and Agnes signed a charter founding the Abbey of the Saint Trinity in Vendôme4 5. This is a fact, but it doesn’t tell us why they did this.
  • Astronomical research shows there were many meteor and meteorite showers in medieval times. A specific mention to 4 April 1040 talks about falling stars6. This matches the year of the charter, and of the legend. The first part of the story rings true.
  • It’s easy to imagine the priests taking advantage of a gullible nobleman. They had the opportunity to get funding for an abbey, for a lifestyle, and to solidify Christianity at a time when it was still growing. Many religious buildings were funded by nobility for one reason or another, so why not this one?

Politics and wrangling

Geoffrey placed this abbey directly under Papal control7 in 10475. This means the abbot at the head of this monastery was also a cardinal. In the Roman Catholic tradition, cardinals elect the next Pope. This implied political power as well as religious authority. This privilege continued until the French Revolution.

The couple donated more land to the abbey by charter dated 6 January 1049 too4, showing continued support for the abbey.

A photo of the stained glass inside the Abbey de la Saint Trinita - Vendôme, France
The stained glass inside the Abbey de la Saint Trinita – Vendôme, France

The Abbey is not far from Chartres Cathedral.

Architecture

Like any historical building, the Romanesque abbey has gone through many additions and alterations over the years5 8 3:

  • In the 12th century, they built the current 80m-high bell tower. It resembles the bell tower in the Chartres Cathedral, built in the same century.
  • In 1271, the Abbey was falling apart. The monks got permission to use bricks from a nearby church to keep this one in place.
  • They added a new choir in 1308.
  • In 1508, master builder Jean Texier added the current facade of the building. It is a clear example of the Flamboyant Gothic style. (Texier also worked on the Chartres Cathedral)
  • In 1621 the Benedictine monks of Saint-Maur rebuilt part of the convent buildings, particularly to the south of the cloister.
A photo of the Abbey de la Sainte Trinite - Vendôme, France
The Abbey de la Sainte Trinite – Vendôme, France

Usage over the years

After the French Revolution, in 17905, the state confiscated and sealed the abbey9. In 1791, it was re-established as a parish church but this did not last long5.

In 18025, the French military used the Abbey as stables and barracks for their men10 called Quartier Rochambeau9. Locals deplored this use of such a building, noting in 19075 that the conditions were awful10. Rather than move out, the army wanted to destroy the cloisters5 10 which were later rebuilt.

In 1949, the French authorities classified the building as a historical national monument5.

References

  1. Geoffrey II | Angevin Ruler, Plantagenet Dynasty, French King | Britannica. (2024). In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Geoffrey-II [Accessed 10 Jul. 2024][↩]
  2. www.francebalade.com. (n.d.). L’Abbaye de la Trinité à Vendome. [online] Available at: https://www.francebalade.com/vendome/vendabb.htm#fondation [Accessed 10 Jul. 2024][↩]
  3. www.wivisites.com. (n.d.). Wivisites, le patrimoine culturel au bout des doigts. [online] Available at: https://www.wivisites.com/eguide_player?project_id=32882c24-0c73-474b-967e-70664152c5c3&page=0&mode=sequence&lang=en [Accessed 29 Jul. 2024][↩][↩]
  4. fmg.ac. (n.d.). AQUITAINE DUKES. [online] Available at: http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/AQUITAINE.htm [Accessed 10 Jul. 2024][↩][↩]
  5. Site visit by author. 2024-06-16[↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
  6. U. Dall’Olmo (1978). Meteors, Meteor Showers and Meteorites in the Middle Ages: From European Medieval Sources. Journal for the History of Astronomy. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/002182867800900204[↩]
  7. www.francebalade.com. (n.d.). L’Abbaye de la Trinité à Vendome. [online] Available at: https://www.francebalade.com/vendome/vendabb.htm#fondation [Accessed 10 Jul. 2024][↩]
  8. Ville de Vendôme – Site officiel. (2022). L’abbaye de la Trinité – Ville de Vendôme – Site officiel. [online] Available at: https://www.vendome.eu/dynamique/patrimoine/labbaye-de-la-trinite/ [Accessed 10 Jul. 2024][↩]
  9. Ville de Vendôme – Site officiel. (2022). L’abbaye de la Trinité – Ville de Vendôme – Site officiel. [online] Available at: https://www.vendome.eu/dynamique/patrimoine/labbaye-de-la-trinite/ [Accessed 10 Jul. 2024][↩][↩]
  10. Anon, (2017). Vendôme, février 1907 : destruction du cloître de la Trinité – Le Petit Vendomois. [online] Available at: https://lepetitvendomois.fr/arts-culture/vendome-fevrier-1907-destruction-du-cloitre-de-la-trinite/ [Accessed 10 Jul. 2024][↩][↩][↩]
Remember: links were correct at time of publication.