Val-Secret

Title

Val-Secret

Also Known As

Sta. Maria in Vallibus Secretis, Vallis Secreta, Valsecret, Valsecré, Vassecré, Vaussecré, Vaussegré

Dates

Founded 1140; dissolved 1790

Dedication

Mary

Affiliation

Prémontré

Medieval Diocese

Soissons

Circary

France

History

In 1140, a group of Premonstratensian brothers moved from Château-Thierry to Val-Secret. 

Val-Secret became a commendatory abbey in 1681, the same year that the abbey underwent major reconstruction work. Val-Secret was suppressed in 1790. The former monastic complex was demolished in the 19th century.

Heads of Community

Abbots

Godefroy, fl. 1133
Dodon, fl. 1166
Nicolas, fl. 1169
Eudes, ?-1171
Jean I, 1174-1183
Robert I, 1188-1189, 1192-1200
Isambard, ?
Pierre I, 1210-1217
Conrad, 1217-1220
Jean II, 1220-?
Herbert, fl. 1224
Pierre II, fl. 1231
Jean III, fl. 1233
Ingelran, fl. 1235
Evermond, fl. 1239
Pierre III, fl. 1244
Jean IV, ca. 1247-1251
Pierre IV, fl. 1258
Ricard, fl. 1279
Nicolas, fl. 1284
Jean VI, fl. 1330
Philippe d'Epernay, fl. 1352
Baudouin, 1370s-1390s
Jean VII, fl. 1410
Herbert Romel, fl. 1420
Pierre VI Roussel, fl. 1460
Jean VIII Camus (or de Royon), fl. 1468
Pierre VI Merdel, fl. 1476
Jean IX Michon, fl. 1494
Benoit de Corbie, fl. 1513
Pierre VII des Lions, fl. 1557
François I de Rong, fl. 1564

Status

Abbey

Archival Sources

Laon, Archives départementales de l'Aisne

8 Fi 224 (plan)

8 Fi 225 (n.d.; seal drawing)

17 Fi 92 (drawing) 

H 1037 - H 1074 (12th-18th c.)

Meaux, Archives hospitalières de Meaux

Fonds de l’Hôtel-Dieu, II B 39 (cartulary extract)

Nancy, Bibliothèque municipale de Nancy

MS 992, XVIII 1

Paris, Archives nationales de France

L 1008

L//1009/A, Doss. 7 (12th-13th c.)

Bibliography

Blary, François. “Approches archéologiques de l’abbaye prémontrée Notre-Dame de Val-Secret.” In Utilis est lapis in structura : mélanges offerts à Léon Pressouyre, edited by Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques, 163–84. Mémoires de la Section d’Archéologie et d’Histoire de l’Art. Paris: Editions du C.T.H.S., 2000.

Corlieu, Auguste. “L’abbaye de Val-Secret.” Annales de la Société historique et archéologique de Château-Thierry, 1887, 238–56. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k445650q/f254.item.

Poquet, Alexandre. “Note sur les chartriers de Val-Secret et d’Essômes.” Annales de la Société historique et archéologique de Château-Thierry, 1888, 178–85. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k4456513/f192.item.

Image Credit

Ruins of the abbey of Val-Secret, 19th c. AD Aisne, 17 Fi 92.

Files

Collection

France

Citation

“Val-Secret,” A Premonstratensian Atlas, accessed October 16, 2026, https://yvonneseale.org/atlas/items/show/207.

Geolocation

Item Relations

This Item DependentOn Item: Prémontré
Item: Monthodon DependentOn This Item
Item: Corribert DependentOn This Item
Item: Le Charmel DependentOn This Item
Item: Chambrefontaine DependentOn This Item
Item: Bouresches DependentOn This Item
Item: Château-Thierry (College) DependentOn This Item