Editing Fontevraud Abbey (section)

===Founder===
{{Main article| Robert of Arbrissel}}
[[File:La Ro%C3%AB %2853%29 Abbaye 05.jpg|thumbnail|250px|Abbey of La Roë]]
[[File:Church of Fontevraud Abbey Eleanor of Aquitaine effigy.jpg|thumbnail|250px|Tomb effigy of [[Eleanor of Aquitaine]] in Fontevraud Abbey]]
[[File:Fontevraud Abbey map-en.svg|thumbnail|450px|Map of the Abbey]]
[[Robert of Arbrissel]] had served as the [[Archpriest]] of the [[Diocese of Rennes]], carrying out the reformist agenda of its bishop. When the bishop died in 1095, Robert was driven out of the diocese due to the hostility of the local clergy. He then became a hermit in the forest of [[Craon, Mayenne|Craon]], where he practiced a life of severe penance, together with a number of other men who went on to found major monastic institutions. His eloquence and asceticism attracted many followers, for whom in 1096 he founded a monastery of [[canons regular]] at [[La Roë]], of which he was the first [[abbot]]. In that same year [[Pope Urban II]] summoned him to [[Angers]] and appointed him an apostolic missionary, authorizing him to preach anywhere. His preaching drew large crowds of devoted followers, both men and women, even lepers. As a result, many men wished to embrace the religious life, and he sent these to his abbey. When the canons of that house objected to the influx of candidates of lower social states, he resigned his office and left the community.<ref name=CE>[[Catholic Encyclopedia]] ''Robert of Arbissel''</ref>