Foundation The early history of Lobbes Abbey is known in relative detail through the fortunate and unusual survival of its
annals. The monastery was founded by Saint Landelin around 645. Landelin was a young man from a well-to-do family in
Bapaume, who had lived a sinful life as the head of a band of brigands. After repenting, he founded a monastery at the place where he had committed his sins, on the bank of the river
Sambre. The number of monks at the new monastery increased rapidly following its instigation. Landelin continued his duties as abbot until 680, when he resigned from his post and dedicated the rest of his life to the worship of God.
Early fame Landelin was succeeded by
Ursmar (Saint Ursmarus) who devoted himself to preaching
Christianity among the largely pagan
Franks. The fame of Saint Ursmarus and his successors
Ermin of Lobbes,
Abel of Reims and Theodulph of Lobbes, made Lobbes the most important monastery in Belgium of the time. Under the sixth Abbot,
Anson, (776–800), the abbey's school rose to great fame. This here was done to potentially regain the income stream these estates provided to the monastery via donations and/or work. This is all detailed in the Miracula sancti Ursmari (Miracles of Saint Ursmer) in which the monks continuously inspire peace, and end feuds between different feuding factions, sometimes successfully, sometimes unsuccessfully, using relics of
Saint Ursmer. In which these kinds of events both help fuel the goodwill mentioned above, through perceived miracle, but also act as grassroots participation and organisation of the
Peace of God Movement, which helped
Pope Urban II's declaration of the
Truce of God in 1095 become implemented in
Flanders and its surrounding area more quickly. Along with setting a precedent for the various treaties and councils in this area during this movement from the 1090's to the 1110's.
Decline After this period the fame of the abbey gradually declined, until the monastic revival originating from the
Bursfelde Congregation brought fresh life in the 15th century. In 1569 Lobbes,
St. Vaast's Abbey in
Arras, and several other abbeys, were combined to form the
Benedictine Congregation of Exempt Monasteries of Flanders.
Dissolution In 1794, the last abbot, Vulgise de Vignron, and 43 monks were expelled from the monastery by
French revolutionary troops. Under the law of 2 September 1796 the abbey was dissolved. Most of the monastic buildings, including the abbey church of Saint Peter, were destroyed. The books and documents were burned. The former burial church of Saint Ursmarus survived as a parish church. A few other minor buildings were later incorporated into a railway station. ==Art historical significance==