of Liège, who was well disposed towards the monastery. Heriward was succeeded by Erluin II (990-1012), under whose weak administration monastic discipline greatly relaxed. His successor Olbert (1012-1048), a pious and learned abbot, restored discipline, built a new abbey church in 1022, organized a rich library, and by encouraging sacred and secular learning gave the first impulse to the subsequent flourishing condition of Gembloux. During the period of its greatest intellectual activity the abbey was ruled by Mysach (1048-1071), Thietmar (1071-1092), Liethard (1092-1115) and Anselm (1115-1136). Under Thietmar flourished the famous chronicler Sigebert of Gembloux (1030-1112), who in a neat Latin style wrote a chronicle of the world from 381-1111, a history of the abbots of Gembloux and other historical works of great value. His chronicle was continued by Abbot Anselm till 1136, and his history of the abbots of Gembloux by the monk Gottschalk, a disciple of Sigebert. The learned prior Guerin, a famous teacher at the abbey school, was a contemporary of Sigebert. Decline In 1157 and again in 1185 the monastery was destroyed by fire, and though rebuilt, it began from this period to decline in importance. The abbots did, however, continue to hold the title of count and to sit among the nobility in the States of Brabant. In 1505, under Abbot Arnold II de Solbrecg (1501-1511), the abbey became affiliated to the Bursfeld Union. It was pillaged by the Calvinists in 1598, and was partly destroyed by fire in 1678 and again in 1712. It was just beginning to recover from these heavy misfortunes when in 1793 the Revolutionary government suppressed it. The buildings, which largely survived, are used for the Agronomical University of Gembloux. Abbots The succession of abbots is as follows. Erluin I Heriward Erluin II Olbert Mysach Mathelin Thietmar Liethard Anselm Arnold Petrus Odo Joannes Guibert Martin Guillaume Henri Arnold Guillaume Godfrey Jean de Brogne Joannes, abbot of Affligem (1259–1261) Rauol Arnold de Chastres Godfrey Arnold de Rosières Lambert de Liroux Nicolas de Rupemont Jean del Bare Jean de Walhain Louis d'Oinies Othon de Dave Jean de Carnières Jean d'Ittre Othon de Viviers Antoine de Bossunes Arnold de Solbrecq Mathieu Petri Antoine Papin Arnold Dumont Bernard Fourier Lambert Hancart Jean de Caverel Louis Sombeck Philippe Clocman Charles d'Ursel Gaspar Benselle Martin Draerck François Dumonceau Arnold de Mertz Pierre Dumonceau Ildephonse Chapelle (1732–1739) Eugène Gérard Jacques Legrain (1759–1791) Colomban Wilmart Notes Sources Christian