Domus Sancti Sixti Westfleternes (1260 - 1355)
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This is a map on which the different monasteries of St Sixtus are clearly indicated.
In the 12th and 13th centuries we know the names of different sisters (sorores), from different parishes in the surroundings of the present abbey. Did these sisters belong to certain monasteries? Or did they lead a kind of religious life at home? This is not clear. We know the names of some sisters from an Act of Donation (before 1240 AD) tot the abbey of Eversam (Stavele):
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'sorore Berta in Crombeka
sorore Inta, sorore Hildiard in Westvleiterne
sorore Hereba in Oostfleterne
sorore Berta in Pollinchove
sorore Hunnengardi et filiis suis in Haringa.'
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In the 19th century a researcher found documents on a 'convent
St Sixtus in Westvleteren' in "Annales" and "Privilegia ecclesiae
Watinensis" in the town library of Saint Omer.
We quote:
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Act of 11th November 1260:
"We Gertrude, servant of the house of St Sixtus in Westvleteren
(domus santi Sixti Westfleternes) and the other sisters who
serve the Lord there ...
our reverend fathers and patrons,
dean and chapter of the church of Watten ...
given on Saint Martin's festival in the year 1260."
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2. |
Act of July 1262:
"To all Christians who will read these letters,
Gertrude, governess of the house of Saint Sixtus in Westvleteren
and the convent on the same place:
salvation in the true God who is our salvation ...
We also promise to render faithfully all revenues
to the priest of the villa in Westvleteren, if there is one
...
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(The acts of the churches of Douai and Cassel mention 'villa Fleternam/Fleternes')
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The famous Duinenabdij of Koksijde has also left some information about this convent.
On April 8th 1355 Katrina, prioress of the convent Beauval (Pas-de-Calais) sold 42 'gemeten' land , belonging to the property of St Seix to Willem Van Heule from Poperinge.
This means that the sisters of St Sixtus had left Westvleteren before 1355 to settle in Beauval (Lumbres) west of Saint Omer. (Had they come from there in 1260? Did they return to their original convent?)
The property of St Seix was sold in 1372 by Griele, widow of Willem Van Heule to the Duinenabdij for 42 pounds. This abbey had bought land in 1371 in Westvleteren and would do this again in 1375. In fact the wanted the woods to use timber and lumber for the Duinenabdij.
Some quotations:
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Act of 8th April 1355 (from 'the Cartularium Dunense')
The convent (42 'gemeten' and 60 'roeden', with everything on it) is sold by the prioress ("venerabilis et religiose mulieres Domna Katrina") to Willem Van Heule, living in Poperinge.
The sisters already lived in Lumbres : " monasterii de bella valle in parochia de Lumbres "
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A short message in "Cronica et Cartularium Monasterii de Dunis" between 1354 and 1378:
"The abbot also bought the 'court' of St Sixtus near Poperinge, with 42 'gemeten' woods, rendered by the prioress , together with her chapel which she gave to us."
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Act of 14th June 1372
The Duinenabdij bought land and woods in Westvleteren, e.g. from Eversam. The first purchase is the 42 'gemeten' from the convent.
These grounds remained property of the Duinenabdij until the 17th century.
About 1610 Gilles De Lattre established a hermitage there, which would lead to the foundation of the convent of the Birgittans of St Sixtus.
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