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History of the abbey |
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The abbey since the roman period |
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Shadows and lights on the abbey |
Nevertheless, although interrupted with some brief periods of prosperity and artistic
activity recovery, decline was to begin as early as the XIIth century. The prestige enjoyed
by benedictine monks until then declined in front of the rise in new religious orders :
Cistercian monks from Saint Bernard firmly settled in Rouergue, Templars and Knights of
Saint John of Jerusalem who often won donations at their benefit. In the XIVth century, the
outlook became gloomier with the awful Black Death in 1348 and above all the Hundred Years
War and its trail of misfortunes. Even so, in Conques, the worst seemed to have been
avoided and the
Treasure
escaped from enemies' covetousness. Did monks buy the protection of the Grandes Companies
for a tremendous price, according to a common custom ?
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Holy wars |
Furthermore, the hard strictnesses of the Saint Benedict rule were more and more badly borne in the monastery. In 1514, a scandal even broke when François d'Estaing, bishop of Rodez, went to Conques in order to try to bring back discipline among monks. These last firstly refused to welcome him and, the day after, they did not hesitate to manhandle the prelate who was at prayer behind the golden statue of Saint Foy. Finally, in 1537, a papal bull freed the twenty-nine monks of Conques from the benedictine rule. The community founded by Dadon, dissolved by now, gave its place up to a chapter of canons which superior held the name of abbot. The abbey-church became a collegiate one. But soon at the height of wars of religion, calvinists seized Conques. A charter of King Charles IX dated back to 1571 specifies : «the church of Saint Foy was burned plundered and pillaged at Conques, as well as other buildings and houses». If the tympanum and the treasure escaped the devastation, the church almost fell down following the rupture of the great pillars of the choir under the effects of the fire. Nevertheless, damage was repaired as well as possible.
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The treasure hidden by inhabitants during the Revolution |
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The revolution of 1789 abolished the chapter and spread out the canons. Then the golden pieces of the treasure were hidden by inhabitants in their houses or in chestnut drying sheds round about the place. When Bonaparte restored the religious peace, all objects were scrupulously returned. Canons had always undertaken the church's maintenance at their own expense. After their leaving, the town of Conques, through lack of money, merely deplored the sad neglected state of the edifice from then on. |
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The abbey-church salvaging by Prosper Mérimée |
In danger of falling down through shortage of maintenance, the
abbey-church
was rescued at the last minute from 1837 thanks to the vigorous action of the first
Historical Monuments Inspector, the writer Prosper Mérimée. In 1873, after the settling of
Premonstrant Fathers in Conques, a great rehabilitation programme was implemented. For a
hundred and fifty years, the Historical Monuments service has been carrying on without a
respite this safeguard and setting-off work on this prestigious heritage in close
collaboration with local councillors. The crowd of tourists has now taken over from
pilgrims one on the church square or round the
golden majesty of Saint Foy.
Motivations may not be the same but the scenery has not changed.
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Texts from Jean-Claude FAU
Editions of Beffroi - Regional Council of Aveyron Original drawings from Jean SEGALAT Dadon editions - Council of Conques Translation from Valérie FABRE |
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