Clairfontaine
Title
Clairfontaine
Also Known As
Clairefontaine, Clara Fontana, Clarefontensis, Clarus Fons, Clerefontaines, Cleresfontaines, Clerfontaines, Clerfontainnes, De Claris Fontanis
Dates
Founded 1111; Premonstratensian from 1130; transferred 1676
Dedication
Nicholas
Affiliation
Medieval Diocese
Circary
History
Clairfontaine had its origins as a community of hermits established by Ailbert (or Albéric) d'Antoing, first at Rolduc and then from 1111 at Clairfontaine. The noble family of Guise were major benefactors. The community's church was dedicated in 1126, and the community joined the Premonstratensian Order in 1130. It was initially a double house.
Clairfontaine was badly damaged by warfare in 1339, 1636, and 1670. In the later 17th century, the brothers relocated to Villers-Cotterêts. The community was ultimately suppressed at the Revolution in 1793.
Clairfontaine was badly damaged by warfare in 1339, 1636, and 1670. In the later 17th century, the brothers relocated to Villers-Cotterêts. The community was ultimately suppressed at the Revolution in 1793.
Heads of Community
Abbots
Gerard, 1131/2-1160
Jean I, 1160-1164
Anfridus I, 1172-1175
Obert, 1175-?
Nicolaus, 1179-1180
Anfridus II, 1182-1188
Henri, 1196-1199
Jean II, 1201-1218
Guillaume, fl. 1224
Egericus, fl. 1239
Jean III de Roquigny, 1245-1247
Jean IV, ?-1286
Guillaume II de Louvignies, 1286-1288
Jean V, fl. 1294
Pierre I de Marle, fl. ca. 1300
Jean VI de Beaulieu, fl. 13..?
Jean VII, fl. 1494
Antonius Geoffroy, 1502-1512
Louis de Angis, fl. 1516
Amatus de Fontaines, 1521-1530
Jean VIII de Folembray, 1530-1537
Jean IX, fl. 1548
Gerard, 1131/2-1160
Jean I, 1160-1164
Anfridus I, 1172-1175
Obert, 1175-?
Nicolaus, 1179-1180
Anfridus II, 1182-1188
Henri, 1196-1199
Jean II, 1201-1218
Guillaume, fl. 1224
Egericus, fl. 1239
Jean III de Roquigny, 1245-1247
Jean IV, ?-1286
Guillaume II de Louvignies, 1286-1288
Jean V, fl. 1294
Pierre I de Marle, fl. ca. 1300
Jean VI de Beaulieu, fl. 13..?
Jean VII, fl. 1494
Antonius Geoffroy, 1502-1512
Louis de Angis, fl. 1516
Amatus de Fontaines, 1521-1530
Jean VIII de Folembray, 1530-1537
Jean IX, fl. 1548
Status
Abbey
Archival Sources
Caen, Archives Départementales du Calvados
H 30
Laon, Archives départementales de l'Aisne
H 30
Laon, Archives départementales de l'Aisne
G 398
H 854
H 855
H 588
H 1635
H 1748
Laon, Bibliothèque municipale
MS 538
Nancy, Bibliothèque Stanislas
MS 992 V 215/26
Paris, Archives nationales de France
L//1003, Dossier 8. (1211-1339)
L//1009
Paris, Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal
MS 5262, fol. 39
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France
MS fr. 9500.
Cartes et plans, GE C-3439 (1730; plan)
Coll. Baluze 51, fols. 144-152.
Coll. Picardie 235, fol. 108r
Coll. Picardie 267, fol. 371r
Soissons, Bibliothèque municipale
Coll. Perin III 1460, 1461, 6387
Reference
Bibliography
Bercet, Edouard. “Abbaye de Clairfontaine.” Bulletin de la Société archéologique de Vervins 17 (1895): 95–98. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k408884r/f95.item.
Michaux, Edouard. Le village et l’Abbaye de Clairfontaine. Paris: Bonvalot-Jouve, 1908.
Palaude, Stéphane. “La politique de défrichement de la terre par le verre. Les religieux et les territoires du verre en Thiérache XVe et XVIe siècles.” Revue du Nord 395, no. 2 (2012): 435–55. https://www.cairn.info/revue-du-nord-2012-2-page-435.htm.
Piette, Amédée. Notice sur l’abbaye de Clairfontaine. Vervins: Papillon, 1841.
Image Credit
Detail from Antoine Prévost, "Plan et figure géométrique des bois dépendant de l'abbaye de Clairefontaine" (1730). Gallica.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Clairfontaine,” A Premonstratensian Atlas, accessed October 16, 2026, https://yvonneseale.org/atlas/items/show/151.
Geolocation
Item Relations
| Item: Secqueval | DependentOn | This Item |