This is an annotated translation of the classic Description de l'abbaye de La Trappe, the most important eye-witness account of life at the abbey of La Trappe under Armand-Jean de Rance. The work includes a map showing the physical layout of the abbey and detailed discussions of the monks' daily life and practice. It was written by Andre Felibien des Avaux for Jeanne de Schomberg, duchess of Liancourt, in 1671, with a new and enlarged edition being published in 1689. That is the edition translated here, with copious notes to help the reader appreciate Felibien's account.

About the Author
David N. Bell is professor emeritus of religious studies and dean of theology at Queen's College, St. John's, Newfoundland, and canon theologian in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John's. He is the author of a number of books published by Cistercian Publications, including Handmaid of the Lord:Mary, the Cistercians, and Armand-Jean de Rance (CS293, 2021), Everyday Life at La Trappe under Armand-Jean de Rance (CS274, 2018), and A Saint in the Sun: Praising Saint Bernard in the France of Louis XIV (CS271, 2017).

Reviews
"Why would an account of the daily life of monks and their dynamic, inspiring, also, controversial Abbot capture the religious imagination and become one of the most popular books of seventeenth century France? Thanks to David Bell's excellent translation and notes we are now able to find out for ourselves. This riveting account of a fascinating world unknown to most of us will delight monastic scholars, historians, and anyone interested in the origins of Trappist life and thought. It is an engaging piece of work, which reads like a historical novel. Indeed, Bell has given us a treasure in bringing this work into English."Abbess Kathy DeVico, Our Lady of the Redwoods Abbey, Whitethorn, California
"This book is an annotated translation of a contemporary account of daily life at La Trappe while Armand-Jean de Rance was abbot. That it is the work of David Bell is enough to recommend it as a reliably informative volume. Like it or not, Rance has had an influence on the shaping of the life lived by Strict Observance Cistercians. The more we appreciate his positive role in preserving and updating Cistercian life in the seventeenth century, the more inspired might be our own efforts to ensure that it continues to evolve without being diluted into featurelessness."
Cistercian Studies Quarterly



Book Information
ISBN 9780879072742
Author David N. Bell
Format Paperback
Page Count 184
Imprint Liturgical Press
Publisher Liturgical Press
Weight(grams) 227g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 140mm * 11mm