The Cistercian Order was born in Burgundy at the start of the twelfth century as a movement of radical renewal-an Order that survives to this day with the greater part of its written heritage preserved. This volume brings together a selection of its finest works, which speak powerfully across the centuries to modern readers. Writings by St Bernard of Clairvaux (c. 1090-1153)-including his letters, The Life of Malachy the Irishman, sermons on the Song of Songs and the sharply satirical Apologia for Abbot William-reveal him to be a highly individual and influential writer of the Middle Ages. Also included here are a charming description of Clairvaux, biographies of abbots and a series of exemplary stories, all drawing on the Scriptures to express intensely personal forms of monastic theology.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Acknowledgements
Introduction
Translator's Note
Abbreviations
The Monastic Horarium

CITEAUX: THE EARLY YEARS
The Little Exord
The Admonition of Stephen Harding

BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX
from the Vita Prima by William of St. Thierry, Arnald of Bonneval and Geoffrey of Auxerre
from An Apologia for Abbot William
from The Life of Malachy the Irishman
Three Sermons on the Song of Songs
from On Consideration
Nine Letters

WILLIAM OF ST. THIERRY
Three Meditations

GUERRIC OF IGNY
Three Sermons

AMEDEUS OF LAUSANNE
from the Fourth Homily on Mary, the Virgin Mother

AELRED OF RIEVAULX
from The Life of Aelred by Walter Daniel
from On Spiritual Friendship
from The Mirror of Charity
Pastoral Prayer

ISAAC OF STELLA
Two Sermons

GILBERT OF HOYLAND
Two Sermons
Two Letters

JOHN OF FORD
from The Life of Wu!fric of Haselbury

ADAM OF PERSEIGNE
Two Letters

A DESCRIPTION OF CLAIRVAUX
A Description of Clairvaux

THROUGH MEMORY'S DOOR
Eight Stories from Exemplum Collections

Notes