Final answer:
The Abbey of Cluny, founded in France in the 900s, had a significant influence on monastic life across Europe with its adherence to the Benedictine rule and promotion of reform. Cluny became a benchmark for spiritual discipline and its architectural style influenced Romanesque art across the continent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Founding of the Abbey of Cluny
The new monastery founded in France in the 900s that served as an example to people around Europe was the Abbey of Cluny. Established in 910 AD, Cluny became renowned for its adherence to the Benedictine rule and its promotion of reform within the monastic system. Its influence spread far beyond France, affecting monastic practices throughout Europe.
The Abbey of Cluny was particularly known for its size and the architectural grandeur of its church, which was the largest Christian building until the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Under the leadership of its abbots, Cluny became the center of a major monastic movement which led to the founding of hundreds of daughter houses and affiliations. The Cluniac reforms introduced higher standards of monastic life, a greater emphasis on liturgy, and a return to strict adherence to the Rule of St. Benedict, which had a profound impact on medieval religious life.
The legacy of Cluny extends to various aspects of European culture, including Romanesque art and architecture, as evidenced by the widespread adoption of the Cluniac style. This was epitomized by the Abbey’s third church, Cluny III, which was consecrated by Pope Urban II. The Abbey of Cluny set a benchmark for monastic spirituality and discipline that shaped Christian practices across Europe, an endowment that has contributed to its enduring historical significance.