Geoffroi Cou De Cerf

(Collum Cervi), a French prelate, was born in the latter half of the 11th century. He embraced the religious life, and was successively prior of St. Nicaise of Rheims, and abbot of St. Medardt of Soissons. When Abelard was confined in this abbey, Geoffroi loaded him with kindness, and the illustrious philosopher caused the remembrance to be handed down to posterity. Geoffroi revived the love and culture of letters in the convents of the order of St. Benedict, preaching in all the re-establishment of monastic discipline. In 1131 he was elected bishop of Chalons, at the wish of St. Bernard, his friend. Nine years later he assisted at the Council of Sens, and, in spite of his affection for Abelard, he could not but adhere to the judgment passed against him by this assembly. He died May 27, 1143. Of three letters written by him, the first is found in the Bibliotheca Cluniacensis of Duchesne, the second in the Spicilegium of D'Achery, and the third in the Miscellanea of Baluze. For other works see Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.