Herluin of Bec

Blessed Herluin otherwise Hellouin (995/997–August 26, 1078) was a knight at the court of Gilbert of Brionne and subsequently a Benedictine monk who founded the Abbey of Our Lady of Bec, Normandy.

Herluin was born around 995/997 in Bonneville-Aptot, according to Mabillon, of Norman nobility. Ansgot his father was a Danish Viking follower of Rollo, while his mother, Eloise, was related to the counts of Flanders. In his youth he was a brave soldier to whom the Duke Robert gave more than one mark of esteem. Later, being poorly paid for his services by Gislbert, Herluin began to look on the profession of arms with disgust. One day in 1034, amid a frightful melée where he had hardly any hope of survival, he vowed to drop the sword and put on the garb of the monks, if he should escape so great a peril.

He survived and retired as a hermit to settle in one of his fields, in about 1041. Quickly joined by several companions, he laid the foundation of a monastery. Herbert, Bishop of Lisieux, dedicated on 25 March 1034 the chapel built by Herluin and ordained him as head of the small community. In 1034/1035, the Duke granted land to the abbey. Herluin built the cloister and the monastic buildings and adopted the Rule of St. Benedict.

Bonneville however was a place difficult of access, and lacking water. Herluin and the brothers resolved to leave, and in about 1039 settled in Bec down the valley. His students included Lanfranc and Saint Anselm, future archbishops of Canterbury.

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