Robert de Champeaux was the abbot of

Tavistock Abbey Tavistock Abbey, also known as the Abbey of Mary, the mother of Jesus, Saint Mary and Saint Rumon, is a ruined Order of Saint Benedict, Benedictine abbey in Tavistock, Devon. The Abbey was surrendered in 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monaste ...

, Devon, EnglandFinberg p. 277. from April 1285Oliver p. 91. to 1325. He was known for his "piety and zeal for improvement" and has been described as probably "the greatest and wisest" of "the abbots in the later monastic period".

Career

Abbot Robert's abbacy was long and regarded as prosperous, and he is known from several documents. He was well known for the

largess Generosity (also called largesse) is the virtue of being liberal in giving, often as gifts. Generosity is regarded as a virtue by various world religions and philosophies and is often celebrated in cultural and religious ceremonies. Scientific i ...

of his gifts of

alms Alms (, ) are money, food, or other material goods donated to people living in poverty. Providing alms is often considered an act of Charity (practice), charity. The act of providing alms is called almsgiving. Etymology The word ''alms'' come ...

to the poor of Devon and for providing a living for church workers in the district. He was an avid builder of church buildings. The Church of St Eustachius in Tavistock township was built in 1318 by Abbot Robert ChampeauxChurch of St Eustachius
at Historic England.org.uk. as was the church of St Mary and St Rumon in the same year. He also added to the Monastery itself.

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Bibliography

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Champeaux, Robert Year of birth unknown English abbots 13th-century English clergy 14th-century English clergy Tavistock 13th-century Christian abbots 14th-century Christian abbots