Fontevraud-l'Abbaye

They had common buildings and a common rule, but each monk had his separate cell where he worked, ate, and slept, and lived in almost perpetual silence, a life of prayer and meditation.

A third order founded at Fontevraud by a Breton, Robert d'Arbrissel, combined religious houses for men and women in one organization over which, in honor of the Blessed Virgin, a woman presided as abbess.

A similar idea is found in the one English order founded by Gilbert of Sampringham in the first half of the 12th century, a period which also saw the institution of the Order of the Trappists.

More important than all in its influence on society was the great Cistercian Order.

Laurence wished to assess the strength of the revolt and travelled to meet Faisal, writing later that these were quote, the men he sought.

Faisal and Laurence established an immediate connection with one another, Laurence remarking that Faisal bore a striking resemblance to the statue of his beloved Richard I at Fontevrault.

Despite his impressive demeanor, Faisal remained in a relatively weak position, the Ottomans had 12,000 men in the Hejaz, to his 7,000, and the presence of Turkish aircraft had alarmed many of his troops, Lawrence made an inspection of the camp, and concluded that the men assembled were hard, although lacked coordination, predicting that any serious defeat to the movement would be enough to persuade the assembled force to return home.

Lawrence departed from the camp a short time later, on very good terms with Faisal, travelling on to Cairo, and relaying his findings to the other members of the Arab Bureau, as well as to members of the senior staff at General Headquarters, however, worrying news soon came from Ragba, now known as Rabi, that the Ottomans had maneuvered their troops in order to attack the Seti, which was a key point on the route to Mecca, and a potential defeat here, could stimmy the revolt.

On July 6th, 1189, he died.

He was buried at Fontevraud, where his tomb still stands in the cloister of the nunnery that he founded.

It was a pitiful end to the life of a great king.

Even his wise acts had raised up bitter enemies who fell on him in his weakness, and his own bad life had robbed him of many who might have been his friends.

The lion-hearted king died on April 7th, 1199.

He had named John as his heir.

He was buried near his father at Fontevraud.

Though he had lived rashly, he died penitent.