The First Life of Bernard of Clairvaux, traditionally known
as the Vita Prima, originated to prepare the case for canonization of
Bernard, first abbot of Clairvaux. The work was begun by William of
Saint-Thierry, continued by Arnold of Bonneval, and completed by
Geoffrey of Auxerre.
When the initial case put forth for Bernard was rejected by
Innocent II, Geoffrey undertook a revision of the original vita
(Recension A) and submitted another version (Recension B) to
Pope Alexander III, who declared Bernard a saint in 1174. This work
emphasizes the deep love in which Bernard was held during his life
by his monks and the people of France and Italy as well as his role
as a powerful public figure.
This book contains the first English translation of Recension B,
drawn from what is apparently the only manuscript of the work found
today in a Cistercian monastery, Mount Saint Bernard Abbey. The
introduction begins with the story of how this manuscript came to
Mount Saint Bernard, so fixing this translation of the Vita Prima
within Cistercian life from the twelfth century to today.