In the early twelfth century a Burgundian monk set out to tell the 500-year history of his monastery, embedded within a broader history of early medieval France. The Cartulary-Chronicle of St-Pierre of Bèze is both a history of the monastery and a collection of its 331 charters, from its seventh-century foundation until the middle of the twelfth century. Bèze was a Benedictine house whose history included at least six incidents of sacking and destruction – and according to its twelfth-century chronicler it always recovered and emerged stronger than ever.
Combining the history of Burgundy and Francia with the history of his house, John, the chronicler, created a past for Bèze as he wanted it to be remembered. Based on John’s autograph manuscript, The Cartulary-Chronicle of St-Pierre of Bèze is published here in full for the first time. While the monks of Bèze have often been overshadowed by their more famous neighbours, the monks of Dijon, this edition recounts the history of one of the oldest houses in Burgundy and gives it its proper due.