He was the son of Tescelin le Roux and Aleth de Montbard.
[1] When Bernard entered Cîteaux with a group of young relatives and friends in 1112, Gerard did not join him.
During his imprisonment, he decided to enter the monastic life and went to Citeaux after his release.
[2] His brother appointed him cellarer and Gerard managed the domestic affairs of abbey.
He is said to have become so skillful in manual occupations that builders, smiths, shoemakers, and weavers went to him for advice and instruction.