Who were they
The Cistercian Order began at the Abbey of Cîteaux in central France, where its rules and constitution were established in 1119. Although the monks followed the Rule of St Benedict, they introduced a stricter focus on austerity. Their monasteries were to be located far from other settlements; their churches, vestments, and sacred objects were to remain plain and unadorned; and their clothing was made from undyed wool. They also observed strict rules regarding silence and diet.
Manual labour held a central place in Cistercian life. Each abbey functioned as a working community supported by granges—outlying farms separate from the main complex. These were operated by conversi, or lay brothers, who belonged to the community but lived under less demanding regulations. The order’s rules shaped the physical layout of each monastery, with distinct areas for monks and lay brothers, including separate dormitories and refectories.
By 1155, roughly 300 Cistercian monasteries had been founded across Europe and beyond—from Ireland to Lebanon and from Norway to Sicily. Despite this rapid expansion, the Order preserved a strong sense of unity that transcended national boundaries.