some of the younger orders, such as the Cluniac (910) and the Cistercian (1098), had their origins in efforts after a more godly life than what was then offered under the Benedictine rule, the strictness of which they sought to restore.  In the fifteenth century reform of the monasteries was once more in the air.[14] In 1422 a chapter of the Benedictine houses in the provinces of Treves and Cologne met at Treves to discuss the question, which had been raised again at the Council of Constance, and to consider various schemes.  The Abbot of St. Matthias’ at Treves, John Rode, learning of the stricter code practised in St. James’ at Liege since the thirteenth century, introduced it into his house; borrowing four monks from St. James’ to help him in the process.  A few years later John Dederoth of Minden, Abbot of Bursfeld near Goettingen, after examining the new practice at Treves, decided to follow Rode’s example, and carried off four brethren from St. Matthias’ to Bursfeld.  His influence led a number of neighbouring Benedictine houses to adopt the new rule; and very soon a Bursfeld Union or Congregation was formed of monasteries which had embraced what Butzbach calls ’our reformation’, with annual chapters and triennial visitations.

     [14] At this point and again later about Chezal-Benoit I have
          made much use of Dom Berliere’s Melanges d’histoire
          benedictine, 3^e serie, 1901.

By the end of the fifteenth century there were more than a hundred constituents of the Congregation.  The usual method of introducing the new practice was, as Rode and Dederoth had done, to borrow a number of monks from a house already reformed, who either settled in the new house or returned home when their work was done.  As may be supposed, the reforms were not everywhere welcomed.  A zealous Abbot or Prior returning with his band of foreigners was often met by opposition and even forcible resistance.  When Jacob of Breden, Butzbach’s ’senior brother’, came in 1471 with seven others from St. Martin’s at Cologne to renew a right spirit in Laach, a number of the older monks resented it, especially when he was made Prior for the purpose.  One cannot but sympathize with them.  Jacob was only thirty-two, and it is a delicate matter setting one’s elders in the right way.  At length the seniors became exasperated and took to violence.  Not content with belabouring him in his cell, they attacked him one night with swords, and he only escaped by leaping out of the dormitory window.  The rest of his company were ejected, and for three years found shelter in St. Matthias’ at Treves, the parent house of the new rule; and it was not till 1474 that the Archbishop, with the Pope’s permission and the co-operation of the civil official of the district, forced his way into Laach and turned out the recalcitrants.