Ancient Diocese Of Maillezais Article Index for
Ancient Diocese
Website Links For
Ancient
 

Information About

Ancient Diocese Of Maillezais





HISTORY

In 1631 Pope Urban VIII , with a view to a more active struggle against Protestantism, transferred the residence of the Bishop of Maillezais to Fontenay-le-Comte ; in 1648 the see itself was suppressed by Pope Innocent X . Its territory was annexed to the Aunis district and the Isle Of Ré , both of which had been detached from the Diocese Of Saintes in order to form the Diocese Of La Rochelle ; this condition lasted until 1821.


THE ABBEY OF MAILLEZAIS


The Benedictine Monastery of Maillezais was founded about 989 by Gauzbert , Abbot of St-Julien de Tours, at the requeswt of William IV, Duke Of Aquitaine , and his wife Emma.

Abbot Pierre (about 1100), who followed Richard Cœur De Lion to the Third Crusade , composed two books on the construction and transfer of the Abbey of Maillezais.


BISHOPS


Rabelais was a Franciscan at Fontenay-le-Comte and a monk in the monastery of Maillezais and was honoured with the friendship of Geoffroy D'Estissac (1518-43), Bishop of Maillezais.

Among its bishops were Guillaume De Lucé (1421-38) and Thibaud De Lucé (1438-55), political counsellors of Charles VII, King of France.


EXTERNAL LINK