Abbo of Fluery Speared While Breaking up a Brawl on November 7th, 1004AD

Abbo of Fluery was killed in a brawl between monks, a victim of the politics of his age. An outstanding thinker, he contributed to a revival of science and mathematics, wrote letters and poetry, and prepared a history defending the French monarchy. He taught in both England and France. Among the tasks he undertook was to prove that the world would not end in A.D. 1,000 as many of his contemporaries believed.

The Carolingians and Capetians were vying for power in those days. Abbo threw the monastery of Fluery behind the Capetians. His scholarship, addressing the controversies of the day, made him a target for enemies. Retainers of the Bishop of Orleans attempted unsuccessfully to assassinate him. Abbo became a notable peacemaker. This led to his death.

In 1004, at the invitation of the monastery of La Reole in Gascony, Abbo brought a group of monks from Fluery in an attempt to restore order at La Reole. Instead, the division worsened. A brawl broke out between southern and northern monks. Abbo ran out to break it up and was pierced in the abdomen by a spear. Staggering back to his cell, he died in the arms of Aimoin (who wrote his biograhy). The French quickly elevated Abbo to sainthood. He is honored during this week, on November 13th.