Abbot Suger of St-Denis

A biography of Abbot Suger (1081-1151), regent of France and abbot of one of the most important abbeys in Europe during the time of the Georgian reforms in which the author questions his reputation both as architect of French royal power and of St Denis. In the MEDIEVAL WORLD series.

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Based on a fresh reading of primary sources, Lindy Grant's comprehensive biography of Abbot Suger (1081-1151) provides a reassessment of a key figure of the twelfth century. Active in secular and religious affairs alike - Suger was Regent of France and also abbot of one of the most important abbeys in Europe during the time of the Gregorian reforms. But he is primarily remembered as a great artistic patron whose commissions included buildings in the new Gothic style. Lindy Grant reviews him in all these roles - and offers a corrective to the current tendency to exaggerate his role as architect of both French royal power and the new gothic form.