A Study On The Monastic Reforms Of Western Europe In 10th-13th Century

This thesis is about the monastic reforms in western Europe from 10^th to 13^th century, explores the monastic reform movements' religious traditions and tries to clarify the cause of the decadence of monasticism after 13^th century.The first chapter introduces the politic and economic situations about western Europe before the monastic reforms, to explain the corruption of monasteries and the necessary for monastic reforms.The second chapter, "Cluniac Reforms". It is about traditions, contents and results of Cluniac reforms. Cluniac reforms tried to abolish decay in monasteries and get rid of the secular forces. Following the rule of St Benedict, Cluniac obtained huge reputation and wealth through reforms and again the corruption was resulted.The third chapter, "Cistercian Reforms". Staring with the foundation of Citeaux and tracing the tradition of Cistercian, it explains the Cistercian order. Some pious monks were discontent with the Cluniac's corruption and initiated the Cistercian reforms to resume the Beneditine order.The last chapter, "the Decadence of Monasticism". Cistercian-Cluniac controversy indicated the cisis of the monasticism in western Europe. Detailed this event, it tries to explain the conflict between the monstic order and the reality and to find the cause of the decadenceof monastism.