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History of the abbey

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The origins of the abbey

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Foundation of the abbey by the hermit Dadon

Like Rocamadour founded by Saint Amadour, Conques has its origins in a hermit. Through the initial impetus given by Saint Martin of Tours and the first evangelists of Gaul like Saint Amans of Rodez, Christianity slowly entered the countryside. A first religious edifice has probably been built on the site of Conques as early as the Merovingian period. In the centre of a lonely but relatively populated region as attested by numerous Celtic or Gallo-Roman toponyms, it must have gathered the Christians around before its destruction by a Saracen raid in the VIIth century.

Afterwards the few available texts mention a certain Dadon, or Datus, who retired there in order to live like a hermit. Datus, abbreviation of the latin Deodatus (Godgiven in English) is a nickname which seems to refer to the religious vocation of «the one who devotes himself to God». It is even possible to determine his hermitage site : indeed there is no doubt that the Plô fountain which now flows at the bottom of the abbey-church below the square has been the deciding factor in the recluse's choice. Nevertheless, shortly after his settling according to a title dated back to 819, «a man full of piety called Medraldus came and retired in the same place and lived with Dadon. Their godliness fame spread in the border countries. Then several people attracted by the same meditative life decided to embrace it too. The pious group increased gradually and built there a church dedicated to God ». But probably considering that his mission was accomplished and remaining faithful to his loneliness ideal to the very end, Dadon chose the desert for the second time and founded the Hermitage of Grand-Vabre a few kilometres below Conques in the Dourdou Valley. He previously confided the monastery management to his first disciple Medraldus who was not long before adopting the Saint Benedict's rule.

Favours of the carolingian emperors

At that time and for political and religious reasons, the Carolingian monarchs favoured the monasteries of their empire and showered them with kindness. In fact, without these royal favours, the abbey expansion would have been hampered or even irremediably jeopardized by the poorness of such a place unable to provide a living for a large number of monks. While his father Charlemagne was alive, Louis The Pious King of Aquitaine visited Medraldus'monastery several times thus putting it under his protection and giving it the name of Conques. In 819 he made no less than ten donations of lands. Twenty years later Pepin II King of Aquitaine granted Figeac «The New Conques» where many monks settled. On top of these gifts it needs to add gold and silver, delicate materials, fabulous gems and cameos which were at the origin of the treasure of Conques. These royal or imperial liberalities created a considerable stir. But the collective memory will only remember the name of Charlemagne, benefactor above all else, who overshadowed the whole members of his family. That is why he has his place in the Chosen Ones' Procession on the tympanum of the Last Judgement.

Arrival of Saint Foy's relics

But Charlemagne's favours were nothing compared to the tremendous ones a saint was soon to spread abundantly on the monastery thus linking for ever her name with Conques. Curiously Conques' destiny seems to have been sealed in the time of the Roman Emperor Diocletian at the time of great persecutions. A long way from Conques, a young Christian from Agen went through torture because she refused to conform to pagan Gods. Converted by Saint Caprais, bishop of the town, Foy ( Fides in Latin) was hardly twelve years old. At that time when the cult of relics was becoming more and more extensive, when the presence of some holy bodies in an abbey was leading to a great spiritual influence, Conques was strangely destitute. So after various unsuccesful attempts the monks set their heart on the precious relics of Saint Foy of Agen which were very venerated in Aquitaine. The abduction discreetly called «furtive transfer» took place in 866.

The arrival of Saint Foy in her new homeland where she multiplied miracles was virtually equivalent to a second foundation for the abbey of Conques which expansion went on continuously for nearly three centuries. From the Xth century thanks to the generated affluence the birth of a first generation of artistic productions was allowed with the famous statue reliquary of Saint Foy and in order to shelter it a church with three naves preceded by a church tower.

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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