Abbaye aux Dames, Saintes
Abbaye aux Dames, Saintes — The Abbaye aux Dames ("Ladies' Abbey") was the first Benedictine nunnery in Saintes in Charente-Maritime in France.
History
The abbey was founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II, Count of Anjou, and his wife Agnes.[1] Agnes later retired to the nunnery and died there.[2]
One of its abbesses was Agnès of Barbezieux (1134–1174), whose relative, Eleanor of Aquitaine, was a generous donor to the abbey.
Madame de Montespan was educated here in the mid-17th century.
It is located next to the town's Arch of Germanicus and was classified a monument historique in 1948.[3]
See also
- High medieval domes
References
- Back to citation Penelope D. Johnson, Equal in Monastic Profession: Religious Women in Medieval France, (University of Chicago Press, 1991), 195-196.
- Back to citation The Chapter Book of the Nuns of Saintes, Hugh Feiss, The Yale University Library Gazette, Vol. 67, No. 1/2 (October 1992), 13.
- Back to citation Base Mérimée: PA00105245, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French) Ancienne abbaye des Dames
External links
- Abbaye aux Dames - official website