Preachers and Followers. Many heretical religious groups began when preachers traveled to spread the Gospel; over time these groups developed permanent communities where they acquired more followers. One of the first such settlements in medieval Europe began in 1096 at Angers under the leadership of the Canon Regular Robert of Arbrissel, an itinerant preacher papally appointed. Robert of Arbrissel's venture was so successful that by 1100 he and his adepts had established the abbey at Fontevrault, which in turn founded many other priories, including Orsan.

Papal Instruction. The houses of Fontevrault and Premontre and the abbeys of Savigny and Chaussey with their daughter communities were perhaps the most successful of the medieval apostolic movement. The papacy had recommended to each of the respective founders, Robert of Arbrissel, Norbert of Xanten, Vital de Mortain, and Bernard de Thiron, that they supervise the organization of a...