Affligem Abbey

First foundation On 28 June 1062, an hermitical fraternity was founded in Affligem by six knights who repented of their violent way of life. Hermann II, Count Palatine of Lotharingia (1061–1085) and his guardian, Anno II, archbishop of Cologne (d. 1075) donated the foundation grounds. On this land, the first abbey church, dedicated to Saint Peter, was erected in 1083. The Benedictine Rule was adopted in 1085, followed by the formal dedication of the abbey in 1086. The first abbot of the abbey was Fulgentius (1088–1122), a monk of Saint-Vanne Abbey in Verdun, originally from Frasnes, in Walloon Brabant. John Cotton, whose De musica (c. 1100-1121) is one of the earliest musical theses, is also referred to as ' Johannes Affligemensis' because he dedicated De musica to abbot Fulgentius. The counts of Brabant, also counts of Leuven, became their protectors (Vögte) in 1085/1086. A number of their family members are buried in the abbey church, including Queen Adeliza of England (d. 1151), as well as her father Duke Godfrey I of Leuven (d. 1139). Queen Adeliza was buried in the abbey church in 1151, near the clockwork. During the 12th century, the abbey became known for the strict adoption of the Cluniac observance. Several monasteries were founded by the monks of Affligem or assigned to the abbot of Affligem by their founder. Maria Laach Abbey in the Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany, was founded in 1093 as a priory of Affligem by the first Count Palatine of the Rhine Heinrich II von Laach and his wife Adelaide of Weimar-Orlamünde, widow of Hermann II of Lotharingia. Bernard of Clairvaux visited Affligem in 1146, where it is said his greeting to the Blessed Virgin was miraculously answered. Affligem Abbey is a member of the Flemish Province of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation within the Benedictine Confederation. ==Building history==

During its nine hundred years of existence, the abbey church did not escape war. Located on the border with the county of Flanders, it was in the 14th century destroyed twice by troops of the county of Flanders (War of the Brabantian Succession). In the process, the Romanesque basilical church lost three of its original five towers. In 1580, the abbey was set on fire by the troops of William the Silent. The monastery experienced a new flowering under provost Benedictus van Haeften († 1648). To embellish the restored building, he called on the famous painters Peter Paul Rubens and Gaspar de Crayer. For the abbey church, prominent Antwerp sculptor Joannes Cardon created the choir stalls. In the late 17th century, the abbey was ravaged once again, this time by the armies of Louis XIV. The complex revived in the 18th century thanks to the monumental classicist structures of the famous architect Laurent-Benoît Dewez. In 1768, his plans were approved for the renovation of the convent buildings, grouped around two square courtyards, with integration of the modified west facade of the church as the central element for a long, symmetrically extended façade composition with two risalites under triangular pediments. The foundation stone of the new structure was laid in 1770 and three monastery buildings were sacrificed for the new construction. ==Abbots==

The first abbot of the abbey was Fulgentius (1088–1122), a monk of Saint-Vanne Abbey in Verdun. Among his prominent successors may be mentioned: • Franco (1122–1135), author of De Gratia Dei in twelve books (Patrologia Latina, vol. 166, 717-080); • Albert, whose devotion to the Virgin Mary won him the title Abbas Marianus; • William de Croÿ (bishop) (1518–1521) • Charles de Croÿ (1521–1564) ==Provosts==

• Benedictus van Haeften, author of several religious works • Beda Regaus, historian ==Burials==

• Godfrey I of Leuven • Adeliza of Leuven, Queen of England • Marie of France, Duchess of Brabant ==Notes==