THE STORY OF MONASTICISM AND MUSIC IN THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES. THE ABBEY OF SAINT-DENIS-EN-FRANCE AND SAINT-MAURICE DAGAUNE

During the medieval era, liturgy designated an important role to the chant. Most often accompanying psalms or lectures, the chant served to contribute both an intellectual and emotional commentary to the discourse. Both the forms and the practice of the chant evolved significantly within space and time, and Gaul, amongst other regions, developed a strong liturgical and musical identity, especially during the high Middle Ages, up until the liturgical Romanisation undertaken during the second half of the VIIIth century. At this time, Gaul itself was diverse and one of its major monastic centers was the abbey of Saint-Denis near Paris.