Falaise
Title
Falaise
Also Known As
Falesia, Phacisia, Phalesia, Phalizia, Phallesia, Saint ]ean-de-la-Falaise, Saint ]ean-de-la-Falloyse
Dates
Founded in 1127; Premonstratensian from 1159; dissolved 1790
Dedication
John the Baptist
Affiliation
Medieval Diocese
Circary
History
The abbey of Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Falaise has its origins in an Augustinian hospital community founded in the 1120s. The comunity became a priory around mid-century. In 1159/60, the community joined the Premonstratensian Order, and became an abbey. Its church was consecrated in 1203.
In the 1540s, Falaise became a commendatory abbey. The community was suppressed in 1790. Its church was demolished in 1797, and much of the remains of the monastic complex were destroyed in 1944.
In the 1540s, Falaise became a commendatory abbey. The community was suppressed in 1790. Its church was demolished in 1797, and much of the remains of the monastic complex were destroyed in 1944.
Heads of Community
Abbots
Robert de Thaon?
Gautier de Vitry, 1177-1209
Raoul le Luctier, fl. 1310
Regnault Méchin, ?-1354
Robert Grenge, ?-1451
Philibert de l'Espinasse, 1470-1479
Jean Jouquin, 1479-1506
Thomas de Malebiche, 1506-1510
Robert Morel, 1516-1521
Jean de Glatigny, 1521-1540
Robert de Thaon?
Gautier de Vitry, 1177-1209
Raoul le Luctier, fl. 1310
Regnault Méchin, ?-1354
Robert Grenge, ?-1451
Philibert de l'Espinasse, 1470-1479
Jean Jouquin, 1479-1506
Thomas de Malebiche, 1506-1510
Robert Morel, 1516-1521
Jean de Glatigny, 1521-1540
Status
Abbey
Archival Sources
Alençon, Archives départementales de l'Orne
H 451 - H 461
H 1908
Caen, Archives départementales du Calvados
H 4030 - H 4350 (Finding Aid)
H 451 - H 461
H 1908
Caen, Archives départementales du Calvados
H 4030 - H 4350 (Finding Aid)
Reference
Bibliography
Bled, Isabelle. “Le Patrimoine de l’Abbaye Saint-Jean de Falaise: ordre de Prémontrés.” Mémoire de maîtrise Histoire, Université de Caen Normandie, 1977.
Fournée, Jean. L’abbaye Saint-Jean de Falaise (Calvados). Abbayes et prieures de Normandie 16. Rouen: C.R.D.P., 1979.
Mériel, Amédée. Histoire de l’abbaye royale de Saint-Jean-de-Falaise, ordre de Prémontrés. Second Edition. Alençon: Imprimerie A. Lepage, 1883. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k379353j.
Tesson, A. “L’abbaye de St. Jean de Falaise.” Le Courrier de Mondaye, 1955.
Image Credit
View of Falaise. Christophe Tassin and Claude de Chastillon, "Plans et vues de villes de Normandie", ca. 1634. Wikimedia.
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Files
Collection
Citation
“Falaise,” A Premonstratensian Atlas, accessed October 16, 2026, https://yvonneseale.org/atlas/items/show/414.