Cormery Abbey In 791, a religious institution was founded by
Ithier of St. Martin, abbot of
Basilica of St. Martin in Tours and prochancelier of
Charlemagne. This edifice was to create a more friendly place for meditation and prayer, plus respect for the rule of
Saint Benedict of Nursia. Ithier come here to retreat from the world and its agitations. The modest priory was first called Celle Saint-Paul.
Alcuin who succeeded Ithier Cormery led a tremendous spiritual growth and materially transformed the priory into an important abbey by donating important areas. This allowed his successor,
Fridugisus, to perform great works. A protective shadow of the abbey caused many residents to gather and a town was formed which became an important commercial center: since 845 a market is held every Thursday. During the
raids of the
Vikings up the
Loire river, the monks of Saint-Martin first put the holy relics in their safe in Cormery before forced to flee to the east. The abbey was in ruins in the early eleventh century and was rededicated in 1054. In 1268 to 1271, the abbot was
Jean de Brosse, parent of Pierre de Brosse, and close to
Philip II of France according to Le Hardi. In 1562, Cormery was sacked by
Huguenots during the
Huguenot rebellions. In 1662, the
congregation of St Maur recreated a monastic community that would last until the
French Revolution when the monastery was resolved. Only impressive remains are left of the abbey which is objects of study by historians of the region and a cookie recipe "macaroons Abbey".
List of mayors Heraldry Drinking water management The town of Cormery is part of the
SIPTEC (Syndicat Intercommunal de Truyes-Esvres-Cormery). == Demographics ==