Foundation The Hautmont Abbey was originally in the
pagus Hainoensis on the right bank of the
Sambre, a few kilometres southwest of
Maubeuge. The origins of the abbey lie in a religious community established in the 640s by
Madelgaire who was the
Count of Hainaut and husband of
Saint Waltrude. During prayer or a dream in 642, Vincent received a divine inspiration instructing him to build a monastery on Hautmont, a hill above the
Sambre. According to legend, it had snowed all night, but when he arrived, the snowy ground had a cross-shaped clearing where he built the monastery. Vincent Madegarius was the first Abbot of Hautmont. Madelgaire passed on his position as
abbot to
Landry of Soignies around 660 AD, and subsequently, Halidulphe received the monastery in 675 AD. Halidulphe, in a 691 patent, granted his abbey over 100 villages and surrounding lands, meadows, and woods, with full rights and no possibility of future claims.
Saint Ansbert was banished to the monastery of Hautmont-sur-Sambre by
Pepin of Herstal. The monastery was devastated and abandoned after the
Normans and other barbarians destroyed it in
900, massacring several members of the clergy.
11th Century In the 1020s, Count Herman, married to Richilde of Hainaut, assumed control of Hautmont, granting it as a
benefice to Arnould de Rumigny. His son Godefroi inherited it but, at his brother
Gerard of Florennes' urging, expelled the clerics and handed it to
Richard of Verdun. With Gerard's support, Emperor Folcuin secured the return of property from Godefroi, repaired the abbey, and restored the Benedictine rule. The abbey was taken over by the
House of Avesnes in the
12th century. Gautier I,
Count of Brienne, was the first to represent the family as solicitor of Hautmont and later
Gautier II.
French Revolution Amid the
French Revolution, Hautmont Abbey's assets were nationalized, with its movable goods sent to
Avesnes. The religious fled to avoid death, leaving the abbey deserted while the 1793
Reign of Terror resulted in widespread vandalism. The abbey's most valuable relics including those of Saint Marcel and
Saint George were sent to the Mint in
Lille on 14 February 1793. ==Gallery==