The Lives of Guénolé and Idunet: A Study of the Memory of the Abbey of Landévennec
Elysée Yhuel
The abbey of Landévennec, situated in western Brittany, experienced political and religious change beginning the ninth century with advent Benedictine Rule, a consequence further imposition Carolingian hegemony. Prior to this, community had used Irish rule tonsure practised rigorous ascetic lifestyle. Using hagiographies St Guénolé, Landévennec’s founder, Idunet, his little-known disciple, this article explores how Landévennec understood reacted transforming climate Brittany. It reveals that chose remember record past which close ties saints Ireland more generally, order reflect on tumultuous present maintain continuity their glorious past, now distant.
The Journal of Medieval Monastic Studies