Once a priory’s domain now, the Sente des Hautes Bruyères whispers tales of transformation. The Priory of Haute-Bruyère, or Notre-Dame-des-Hautes-Bruyères, once stood proudly nearby. It welcomed both men and women into its religious order. Founded in 1114 by Amaury III de Montfort and Bertrade de Monfort, the priory thrived. Bertrade, Amaury’s sister, became a nun after her marriage to King Philip I ended.
Imagine the Sente des Hautes Bruyères as it was then. All monasteries tied to the Abbey of Fontevrault were called priories. They depended on Fontevrault. An abbot or abbess solely led each congregation. However, the winds of time brought change. Armed bands ravaged the region in the 15th century. The Priory of Haute-Bruyère was abandoned.
Picture this street during a revival in 1537. The priory was reborn with 128 members. King Francis I passed away at Chateau de Rambouillet. His heart found its first resting place at Haute-Bruyère. It remained there until 1852 before its transfer to the Basilica of Saint Denis.
From 1590 to 1591, the nuns faced a trial. They battled Etienne Fleur over unpaid royalties. The Bailiwick of Epernon presided over the dispute. But alas, the French Revolution tolled the end. The Order of Fontevrault dissolved. The Priory of Haute-Bruyère closed in 1790. The buildings met their end and were demolished. Its lands were sold in 1794.
The Sente des Hautes Bruyères carries echoes of the Montfort family. Since its founding, the priory served as their necropolis. Bertrade de Montfort rests here. Simon IV de Montfort is also interred here. Amaury VI de Montfort’s heart found its place here. Beatrice de Montfort completes this lineage.
Now, envision the physical layout of the priory near Sente des Hautes Bruyères. The entrance resembled a modern farm. The convent’s coat of arms marked the lintel. Stables stood to the right. The barn served as a hospital. Priests’ quarters extended from there. This included the cloister and the dormitory. A refectory and a private chapel built in 1778 existed too. Sadly it was destroyed in 1794. The cemetery lay below. The chapter house once stood before the church. It was destroyed in 1794. A house built with stones from the priory replaced it in 1798. Two cloisters extended from it. A drinking trough completed the scene.
Today, the Sente des Hautes Bruyères stands as a silent witness. It’s a testament to a bygone era of faith. It’s a reminder of royal hearts and noble lineages. This path whispers secrets of a priory long gone but not forgotten. Its story echoes through the centuries.