Saint-Léonard de Corbigny Abbey
Villa Corbonis / Corboniacum / Saint-Pierre de Corbigny
(Corbigny, Nièvre)
The foundation of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Léonard de Corbigny was promoted by Égile (d. 871), abbot of Flavigny (Côte-d’Or) and archbishop of Sens. According to a tradition developed later at the abbey itself, the site on which it was established had been donated to Flavigny in 720 by Widrad (Wideradus or Waré, d. 747). The intervention of Charlemagne (748–814) is also mentioned, as he is said to have authorised the foundation of a monastery at this site. The tradition finally places the establishment of the community around 864, when Abbot Égile is said to have introduced twelve monks. The surviving documentation, however, does not allow all these details to be established with certainty.
Despite the scarcity of documentation, Wulfhard (d. c. 888), brother-in-law of Louis the Stammerer, is considered to have been the first prior, or dean, of the house and to have subsequently held the office of abbot of Flavigny. His relationship with the royal family is thought to have favoured the development of the new establishment. Initially, the house was dedicated to Saint Peter and remained dependent on the Abbey of Flavigny. In 882, the relics of Saint Leonard were transferred there from the Abbey of Tournus (Saône-et-Loire). Their presence brought renewed prestige to the house and encouraged the arrival of pilgrims, with the resulting economic development of the monastery.
The dependency on Flavigny led to a long conflict, as the monks of Corbigny sought to obtain independence from their mother house. The process of independence continued throughout the 11th and 12th centuries, and in 1107 Pope Paschal II confirmed the decision in favour of Corbigny. Nevertheless, conflicts between the two houses over this matter continued to be recorded during the 12th century. In 1161, William IV, Count of Nevers (d. 1168), confirmed the possessions of Corbigny. In 1180, the abbey was damaged by fire, and in the following years a new monastery was built which, according to Marillier, stood somewhat apart from the previous site. By 1190 the new establishment was already in operation.
La Nièvre à travers le passé
The change of location probably also led to a change in the dedication and, thereafter, the abbey became known solely under the name of Saint-Léonard, replacing the former Saint-Pierre. In a bull of Pope Innocent III dated 1200, the monastery is already mentioned as Saint-Léonard. In 1423, the abbey was affected by the war between the Armagnacs and the Burgundians and was severely damaged in an attack by the former. Reconstruction and fortification works were undertaken, and a bull issued by Pope Eugene IV in 1435 granted indulgences to those who contributed to the works. In 1562, the monastery was attacked by the Calvinists and again suffered serious damage.
In 1626, Erard de Rochefort took possession as the first commendatory abbot, at a time when efforts were already being made to reform observance. This was achieved in 1647 with its affiliation to the Congregation of Saint-Maur, which also undertook the reconstruction of the monastic buildings. The works were still in progress when the Revolution broke out in 1789. The expulsion of the monks brought communal life to an end. Subsequently, the complex served various purposes and, in its final period, was used as a school. Since 2003 it has housed a cultural centre.
Old postcard, private collection
- BAUDRILLART, Alfred (1956). Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques. Vol. 13. París: Letouzey et Ané
- CHARMASSE, Anatole de (1889). Chartes de l'abbaye de Corbigny. Autun: Dejussieu
- COTTINEAU, Laurent-Henri (1936). Répertoire topo-bibliographique des abbayes et prieurés. Vol. 1. Mâcon: Protat
- CROSNIER, Augustin-Joseph (1877). Les congrégations religieuses dans le diocèse de Nevers. Vol. 1. Nevers: Michot
- JARDÉ, Auguste (1910). Corbigny et l’abbaye Saint-Léonard. Bulletin de la Société scientifique & artistique de Clamecy. Clamecy: Lahaussois
- JULLIEN, Amédée (1883). La Nièvre à travers le passé. Nevers: Michot
- MARILLIER, Abbé (1887). Corbigny. París: Champion
- PRESSOUYRE, Sylvia (1967). L’abbaye Saint-Léonard de Corbigny. Congrès archéologique de France. 125ss. Nivernais. Société française d'archéologie
- SAINT-MAUR, Congregació de (1725). Gallia Christiana in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa. Vol. 4. París: Typographia Regia
Corbigny lies northeast of Nevers