Cistercian Ideals in the Vita Aelredi

Abstract

During St. Ailred’s tenure as abbot of Rievaulx (1147–1167), Rievaulx became the most influential abbey of the Cistercian order in England. One of the most important sources available on his life is the Vita Aelredi, written by Walter Daniel, which is primarily concerned with the presentation of an ideal. Through the analysis of the biography, this study shows what ideals the Cistercians formulated, what they considered important to emphasize about themselves, and in what aspects they were unique compared to other monastic orders. The first part of the article deals with the process of Ailred’s becoming a Cistercian monk and the motivating
factors conveyed by the author, the most prominent of which are purity, the ideal of an austere life, voluntary poverty, and a community held together by the power of love. The study also looks at the immediate background to Ailred’s entry into the Order, revealing the role played by the network of relationships in his decision. The second major unit explores the ascetic practices through which the author seeks to convey Ailred’s deepening spirituality and the process of him becoming increasingly Christ-like. The third section discusses how the Cistercian ideal of caritas is manifested in relation to the life of Ailred and the daily life of the abbey, with particular reference to compassion, mercy, and forgiveness.