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Article
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Abstract
At the International Congress on Medieval Studies in May 1991, I was on a panel entitled ‘Noblewomen in France and England.’ My co-presenter was Linda Mitchell. Little could I know that this session would result in a deep and abiding friendship that would last decades. It seems appropriate, therefore, to contribute an essay to Linda’s festschrift on Friendship.
Countess Ermengarde of Brittany lived a long and rich life. She co-ruled Brittany with both her husband and son; became a nun twice in her life and then subsequently left the convent; she traveled to the Holy Land where she built a church; she negotiated peace between monasteries, but also between her male kin and the church; she built churches and supported ecclesiastical reform in Brittany. The relationship between elite women and male clergy has garnered attention recently. Fiona Griffiths’ recent book, The Nuns’ Priests’ Tale, interrogates the accepted interpretation of latent clerical hostility toward women. Rather, Griffiths (and others), argue that male clergy were supportive of women and genuinely invested in the care of their souls. Countess Ermengarde’s relationship with several prominent male clergy supports this interpretation. This essay will examine the friendships between the countess and Bishop Marbode of Rennes, Robert of Arbrissel, and Bernard of Clairvaux. What emerges is different perspective on the relationship between clergy and aristocratic women; one of respect, mutual interest, and support.
Recommended Citation
Livingstone, Amy "The Fortitude of Friendship: Countess Ermengarde of Brittany and Bishop Marbode of Rennes." Medieval Feminist Forum: A Journal of Gender and Sexuality 60, No. 1 (2025)
