Abbey of Saint-Martin de Limoges

Saint-Martin de Limoges (or Saint-Martin-lez-Limoges) was a Benedictine monastery in Limoges from 1012 and a house of Feuillants from 1624 until 1791.

Drawing of a Limoges enamel cross of Saint-Martin, said to have belonged to Saint Eligius

For the early years of the monastery before its re-foundation, there is no other source than the 13th-century chronicle of the Abbot Pierre Coral. He records that a monastery dedicated to Martin of Tours was founded around 640 by the parents of Saint Eligius, and that the latter's brother, Alicius, was the first abbot.[1] It was subsequently destroyed by Pippin I of Aquitaine during the a civil war and then again by Vikings.[1][2] How much of this history is true is impossible to say, but there was certainly an abandoned church outside the walls by the year 1000.[3]

Bishop Hilduin of Limoges established a Benedictine monastery at that place in 1012. This is mentioned by a contemporary, Ademar of Chabannes.[2] Hilduin and his brother, the abbot of Saint-Martial, gave gifts to the monastery. The bishop endowed it with the relics of Saint Justus.[4] He may even have procured royal and papal protection for his new foundation.[5] He was buried at Saint-Martin.[6] Pierre Coral claims that he still left the monastery poor and small.[4] Soon after, Bishop Jordan praised the monastery before the peace council of 1031.[7]

The first abbot, Rudolf, came from the abbey of Tulle. The second, Berengar, came from Saint-Augustin-lès-Limoges and died en route. The third, Donadieu, was consecrated in December 1074. Tradition associated him with the monastery's acquisition of a relic of Martin of Tours. The fourth abbot, Jordan, came from Vierzon. He resigned and was succeeded by Gerard.[8] Gerard, a monk of Tulle, was succeeded in 1134 by the first abbot elected from among the monks of Saint-Martin, William I.[9]

In 1155, William was succeeded by Pierre de Pierrebuffière, a native of the Limousin and the prior of Sauxillanges.[10] During his abbacy, in 1182, the monastery was heavily damaged when Henry the Young King suppressed a local rebellion. The monks were given refuge in the city by Saint-Martial. Pierre soon left for Cluny and by 1195 the monks had elected William II. William died the following year and Richard the Lionheart imposed the provost of Saint-Augustin, Raymond de Treignac, as abbot. Although Richard favoured rebuilding the monastery, nothing was done in Raymond four or five years as abbot.[11] The church was rebuilt by 1235. In 1247, Pierre Coral became abbot. He left to become abbot of Tulle in 1276.[12]

During the Wars of Religion, the monastery was damaged by Huguenots in 1548 and 1563. It was repaired by the commendatory abbot Marchandon.[13] In 1622, the Benedictines of Saint-Martin ceded their house to Marchandon, who converted it into a house of Feuillants by 1624 under the name Saint-Martin-Saint-Laurent.[6][13] In 1791, the building was acquired by the government.[6] It became the headquarters of the 12th Army Corps. Today no trace of the monastic building remains.[13]