Peter of Celle

Petrus Cellensis

Biography

Born at the beginning of the 12th century, Peter Cellensis belonged to a noble family in Champagne, that of Aulnoy-les-Minimes (near Provins). In his youth, he went to Paris to study and there met John of Salisbury, who became his friend. Between 1140 and 1145, Peter became abbot of the Benedictine monastery of Saint-Pierre in Montier-la-Celle (near Troyes). His letters from this period provide us with information about his activities in the abbey. He became friends with Bernard de Clairvaux. Also close to Henry of Beauvais, archbishop of Rheims, in 1162 Peter became abbot of the great monastery Saint-Remi of Rheims. He carried out the embellishment and architectural expansion of the basilica of Saint-Remi. On the death of John of Salisbury (October 1180), who held the episcopal see of Chartres, Peter Cellensis, already old and ill, was chosen to replace him and appointed by the new Pope Lucius III. After only a few months as bishop, he died on 19 February 1183. He is buried in the Abbey of St. Josephat, alongside his friend John of Salisbury.