The long twelfth century was one of those periods when fundamental changes occurred at a high speed. Robert of Molesme and his followers’ founding of the Novum Monasterium in 1098 is often considered the expression of a general tendency toward renewal. Spiritual asceticism is most commonly thought to be the driving force behind the foundation as this seems to have stimulated many initiatives that were taken around 1100.

There is little doubt that Robert’s project must be positioned within the overall spiritual climate around 1100. But this does not explain the huge success of the new foundation some decades later. Nor does it offer any explanation for the crisis and the serious regression towards the end of the century, when Cîteaux handed over the torch to new currents of spiritual poverty such as those of the Franciscans and the Dominicans.

The early history of Cîteaux demands a more profound understanding of the backgrounds against which the Order developed. Its success during the greater part of the twelfth century can only be due to the fact that the Cistercians offered an answer to certain urgent demands in the surrounding world. Likewise, regression and failure at the end of the century seem to point toward a disruption of this dialogue. During the first century of its existence, important shifts took place within Cîteaux that had a lasting influence on its dialogue with the world. In order to shed light upon these inner changes, we will first have to identify the Order’s interlocutors and the social developments which incited a demand for new solutions.