Groenendael Priory
Groenendael Priory (French: Prieuré de Groenendael, Dutch: Priorij van Groenendaal; meaning, "green valley"; alternate, Gruenendale)[1] is located in the Sonian Forest in the municipality of Hoeilaart in Flemish Brabant, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south-east of Brussels, Belgium.
History
Duchess Jeanne of Brabant had allotted the forest land to the priory and also to many other monasteries in the region.[2] In 1304, an old shooting lodge of Jean II was given to a hermit on condition that after he died, it would go to another religious person who was serving God.[3]
Following this, a community was established at the site around 1343 by three canons who had left the
The monastery became famous during the late 14th century, largely on account of Ruysbroeck's reputation as a spiritual guide and writer, with many people travelling to Groenendaal to visit him. After Ruysbroeck's death in 1381, his relics were preserved at the monastery. The importance of Groenendaal at that time was not just on account of the community that formed there, but also for the writings which resulted and had a large influence on later spiritual and mystical thought. This was particularly so in the case of Ruysbroeck's writings. The work and thought of other members of the Groenendaal community, including Willem Jordaens (c. 1310-1372), who lived at Groenendaal from 1353 until his death, Jan van Leeuwen (c. 1310-1378), Godeverd van Wevele (c. 1320-1396) and Jan van Schoonhoven, has also been increasingly studied in recent years. The works of these writers received some attention at the time, especially among Dutch readers.[6]
Groenendaal's existence as an independent monastery did not last long, however. The religious group continued in the late 14th and early 15th centuries, with a religious choir, without
By the late 18th century, the site had lost its use. It was referred to as a 'useless convent' in 1784; the church and other buildings were sold by Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II and demolished three years later in 1787. The furniture was scattered. An attempt to restore the priory by the Council of Brabant in 1790 failed with the arrival of the French. A coup de grâce occurred in 1796. Ruysbroeck's relics, which were preserved at the Priory until 1783, were taken to Brussels on the demolition of the priory, only to be lost during the French Revolution.[8]
Architecture and fittings
A chapel with two altars, which were built by Ruysbroeck, Coudenberg, Hinckaert, and Jan van Affinghem (the cook), was consecrated in March 1344.[3] The cloister is characterised by arched windows in a building, which is otherwise simple in construction. The prior's house was built in 1783, shortly before the final closing of the priory, and it was restored in 2009. The scriptorium was built shortly after 1435, abandoned in the early 16th century after the rise of the water table, and re-discovered in 2005. The room and its preserved architecture are unique examples of medieval architecture; it is in need of restoration. The laundry room, built in 1743, was converted into a ranger house in the 19th century. The nave of the church was converted. The barn, which was built after 1777, now serves as the Bosmuseum "Jan van Ruusbroec" (Museum of the Sonian Forest).[9] A water mill, built in 1662 along the river, was transformed into a house during the second half of the 18th century. There are terraced gardens located on the southern slope behind the nave of the church. Some of the church furniture was reused in area churches. The main altar is from Herfelingen and other are from Erps-Kwerps. The stalls were made in Vilvoorde. The confessionals are from Wezembeek. The Bishop of Cambrai was benefactor of Groenendael's monastic library.[10]
The remains of the former priory have been protected since 1998.[11]
References
- ^ Weale, W. H. James (1898). Bookbinginds and Rubbings of Bindings in The National Art Library South Kensington Museum (Public domain ed.). Eyre and Spottiswode. p. 139.
- ^ Thomas Colley Grattan (1830). The heiress of Bruges: a tale of the year sixteen hundred. H. Colburn & R. Bentley. pp. 54–.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4286-4886-9.
- ^ Bernard McGinn, The Varieties of Vernacular Mysticism, (New York: Herder & Herder, 2012), p62.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-56459-558-4.
- ^ Bernard McGinn, The Varieties of Vernacular Mysticism, (New York: Herder & Herder, 2012), p. 62-76.
- ^ Bernard McGinn, The Varieties of Vernacular Mysticism, (New York: Herder & Herder, 2012), p62. For the date, see p85.
- ISBN 978-3-8496-2087-5.
- ^ "Bosmuseum Jan van Ruusbroec". Natuurgroepering Zoniënwoud vzw (in Dutch). 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- ISBN 978-90-04-08920-4.
- ^ "Augustijnerpriorij (ID: 39792)". De Inventaris van het Bouwkundig Erfgoed (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 April 2013.