Footnotes

1. Suger's death took place A.D. 1152, as the Chronicle of S. Denys records as follows: — " This was the last year of Abbot Suger, of happy memory. But no one is excepted from the necessity of death. When he began to be troubled with the illness from which he died he was carried by the hands of the brethren, and at his own request taken into the Chapter-room. There, after edifying words, he threw himself with tears and lamentation at the feet of each monk, and asked humbly that for love's sake they would forgive him if he had injured them directly or by his negligence. This request all the brethren most readily granted with sincere affection and with much shedding of tears. The venerable father passed away while reciting the Lord's Prayer and Creed on the i.^th January, in the 7<Dth year of his age, in the 2Qth of his rule over the Abbey. Six Bishops and many Abbots and the most Christian King Louis were present at his funeral. The King, from the fulness of his heart and heedless of his Royal dignity, wept bitterly while he was being buried." The inscription over VOL. II. 4g him was simply " Here lies Abbot Suger" — short indeed, but Sugar's name was sufficient description of him. Robert of Hereford highly praises him in ep. 216, amongst Suger's remains. Francis Chifflet has published a very beautiful eulogy of him, composed by Simon Chevre-d'Or, a canon of S. Victor of Paris. It runs thus: — " The Church's flower is dead — her gem, her crown, her pillar, Her banner, shield, and helm, her light and pride. Abbot Suger, the pattern of uprightness and justice, Respected for his piety, pious though in high repute, High souled, wise, and eloquent, generous, upright, At councils present in body, but in mind self controlled. The King his kingdom ruled by him with prudence great, And thus the King's Viceroy was changed into his King. And while the King long years spent over sea The realm he ruled, discharging the duties of the King. He joined two things which no one else has joined — Approved himself to men, was good in sight of God. He added by his own glory to the reputation of an Abbey already famous, He reformed its abuses, and increased the number of its members. Epiphany's seventh light him bereft of light, The true Epiphany gave true light to the hero/' A lengthy and elegant eulogy of him was written by the Fathers of the Congregation of S. Maur with golden letters on a sheet of brass. See also notes to epp. 78 and 369. On the receipt of the Letter of S. Bernard Suger wrote for the last time, and sent him the following Letter, thanking him for giving him comfort in his last moments, and commending himself to his prayers: — " To his loving lord and venerable father BEKNARD, by the grace of God Abbot of Clairvaux, SUGER, till now a humble servant of S. Denys, wishes salvation and love unfeigned. " You have visited me with your letter; may the Dayspring from on high visit you. You have sent to me, a miserable sinner, your presents — nay, rather, splendid gifts — a precious cloth, bread of your blessing, letters of consolation, in which are contained good words, holy words, words flowing with milk and honey; in my last moments you have given me comfort. But if I could have seen your angelic face but once before my departure I should depart with greater safety from this miserable world. Be assured that if I had merited to live here for a thousand years or more I should not care to remain unless it were the good pleasure of God. My trust is not in works of righteousness, but in the mercy of God alone, which He always shows to them that put their trust in Him; to Him with all my heart I long to return. And therefore I devoutly commend my soul into your hands, that by your prayers and those of your sacred congregations it may win the divine mercy. I humbly ask the prayers of your Holiness " (Vol. i. Anecd., R. P. Edm. Martene). ↩