Foundation of the Abbey of Cîteaux
A small group of monks, led by Abbot Robert, begins constructing the Abbey of Cîteaux in a secluded forest clearing, marking the foundation of a new monastic order dedicated to simplicity and strict a
Setting
A clearing in the dense Burgundian forest near the Saône River, where a small group of monks has begun constructing their new monastery. The ground is uneven, dotted with tree stumps where timber has been freshly cut. A simple wooden cross stands at the center of the nascent settlement.
Characters
Abbot Robert
primary
A tall, gaunt man in his late fifties with a deeply lined face and piercing blue eyes that convey both wisdom and austerity. His hands are calloused from years of labor and prayer, and his posture is upright with an air of quiet authority. A neatly trimmed gray beard frames his face, and his tonsure is freshly shaven, reflecting the strict Benedictine tradition.
Brother Stephen
primary
A gaunt man in his late fifties with deep-set gray eyes and a tonsured head. His face bears the lines of years spent in contemplation and manual labor. His hands, though calloused, move with precise gestures honed by decades of copying manuscripts.
Novice
secondary
A slender young man in his late teens with close-cropped brown hair and earnest blue eyes. His smooth face shows the remnants of adolescent softness, untouched by razor or hardship. His hands, though clean, bear fresh callouses from recent labor.
Woodcutter
background
A sturdy, middle-aged man with a weathered face, deep-set eyes, and rough hands from years of manual labor. His broad shoulders and muscular arms are evidence of his trade. His dark hair is streaked with gray and tied back with a simple leather thong.
Dialog
Abbot Robert
May the Lord prosper our labors, Brother Stephen. Let this ground be sanctified not by grandeur, but by the purity of our obedience to the Rule.
Brother Stephen
As the Rule teaches us, 'The monastery should be so arranged that all necessities are contained within'—thus we place the chapter house here, between dormitory and church, as the heart connects the limbs.
Abbot Robert
Indeed. Let the stones be laid as our vows are kept—without ornament, yet fitted with exact care.
Brother Stephen
The laborers ask whether we might use mortar for the choir piers, Reverend Father. The marsh clay makes poor packing.
Abbot Robert
Mortar smacks of worldly vanity. Better to cut each stone true, as David's masons did for the Temple. Patience shall be our cement.