The son of a landowner near Dijon, Bernard was educated by secular canons, and became known for his charm, wit, learning and eloquence. When he was 22 he became a monk at the very poor abbey of Citeaux, taking with him four of his brothers and 22 friends. The abbey under its English abbot Stephen Harding, was able to survive. In 1115 AD Bernard became abbot of Clairvaux, a new foundation. At first he imposed extreme poverty, but when the monks' health suffered, he relaxed the severity. The monks were secluded from the world. They wore white robes, were called Cistercians and practised strict discipline. Bernard was very positive about this, and was keen to preach reform of the Church. He even wrote a reform document for the Pope, who accepted it.

Although he wanted to remain secluded and obscure, Bernard was soon involved in worldly matters. He preached against the heretics in Southern France, without success, and later attacked Peter Abelard and Gilbert de la Porree, foremost scholars of the time for their theology. This time he succeeded; they were condemned. Contemporaries described Bernard as being tall, skeletally thin, with transparent skin and white hair. He looked prematurely old because of his very austere life. People thought him very saintly. He believed in simplicity, condemning the beautiful cathedrals being built and the extravagance at court. Kings and noblemen were in awe of him, partly because he prophesied against their behaviour - with effect. Bernard hated women 'To live with a woman without danger is more difficult than raising the dead to life'. They had to be kept under control, preferably virginal and celibate. Not only did he condemn his sister as a whore for enjoying her marriage, but banned all his monks from any contact with female relatives.

He preached against the second Crusade, which failed, organised the Templars the soldier-monks in Palestine and wrote a large number of treatises and sermons. He was the first to preach that God is a loving Father. 68 monasteries were set up, the most famous in England were Rievaulx, Fountains and Tintern. Bernard was declared a doctor of the Church in 1830AD. His symbol in art is a beehive.