Background
Ansgot his father was a Danish Viking follower of Rollo, while his mother, Eloise had kinship to the counts of Flandres.
Ansgot his father was a Danish Viking follower of Rollo, while his mother, Eloise had kinship to the counts of Flandres.
Born around 995/997AD, according to Mabillon, of Norman Nobiulity. In his youth he was a brave soldier to whom the Duke Robert gave more than a mark of esteem. Later, being poorly paid for his services by Gislbert, Herluin began to take the profession of arms in disgust.
One day in 1034, amid a frightful melee where he had hardly any hope of salvation, he vowed to drop the sword and put on the garb of the monks, if escaped so great peril.
He survived and retired as a hermit to settle in one of his fields, about 1041AD. Quickly joined by several companions, he laid the foundation of a monastery. In 1034/1035, the Duke granted land and He built the cloister and the monastic buildings and adopted the Rule of Saint Benedict.
Bonneville, however, was a place difficult of access, and lacking water. His students included Lanfranc and Saint Anselm, future archbishops of Canterbury.
The monastery experiencing significant growth founded a second church at Bec-Hellouin.
Herluin died August 26, 1078 at his side was Roger, abbot of Lessay. His funeral was chaired by Gilbert Fitz Osbern, Bishop of Évreux and he was buried in the capitulaire room. The remains of Herluin today can still be seen in today"s abbey church, refectory with some documents of his.
He is considered blessed and His feast day is August 26.
