Prémontré Abbey

As shown in the charter of donation the place was called "Præmonstratus", or "pratum monstratum", probably from a clearing (pré or meadow) made in the forest.

They also visited Prémontré Abbey and were delighted to see some five hundred religious – priests, clerics, and lay-brothers – all united in the observance of their duties under Abbot Hugh of Fosse.

It was the original Premonstratensian custom to establish double monasteries, but in the general chapter of 1141 it was decided to remove the convents of nuns to at least one league's distance from the abbeys of men.

Abbot John II founded in 1252 a college or house of studies for Norbertine clerics at the University of Paris.

With great ability Des Pruets undertook the difficult task of repairing the financial losses and of promoting conventual discipline at Prémontré and other houses of the order.