Quick Facts
Biography
Bernard de Montgaillard (1563–1628) was a French Cistercian preacher and abbot of Orval Abbey.
Life
Bernard was born the son of Bertrand de Percin, lord of Montgaillard, in 1563. In 1579 he joined the Congregation of the Feuillants and became a preacher. His eloquence brought him to royal notice and he was invited to preach in Paris. At the death of Henry III of France in 1589, he became a prominent figure in the Catholic League opposing the accession of Henri IV. He left Paris in 1593 and went into exile in the Spanish Netherlands. There he was affiliated to the Cistercians and in 1605 became abbot of Orval.
Justus Lipsius wrote in praise of his eloquence, and he was the favourite preacher of Archduke Albert. He preached a funeral oration for the Archduke, which is the only one of his sermons to have been published. Bernard died at Orval on 8 June 1628 and was buried in the abbey.
Works
- Responce du Pere Dom Bernard, doyen des Religieux Feuillentins lez Paris, à une lettre que luy a escripte Henry de Valois ([Paris, Jean Pillehotte], 1589)
- Le soleil eclipsé ou Discours sur la vie et mort du serenissime archiduc Albert (Brussels, Hubert Anthoine, 1622)