Bouthillier De Rance, Armand Jean

Bouthillier De Rance, Armand Jean, a French ecclesiastic, was born Jan. 9, 1626. He received the tonsure, Dec. 21, 1635; and, at the age of nineteen, was made canon of Notre Dame at Paris. After many other appointments he received that of the abbey of La Trappe, and having been received into the order of priests, Jan. 22, 1651, he took the degree of D.D. in 1654. Soon after he went into residence at La Trappe, where he endeavored to reform the conduct of the monks; failing in which he persuaded them to resign their house to the Cistercian monks of the Strict Observance. This done, he disposed of his property, and took his vows in the monastery of Notre-Dame-de-Perseigne, June 13, 1663. He died Oct. 16, 1700, having published a new edition of Anacreon, with notes (Paris, 1639; 2d ed. 1647): Traite de la Saintete et des Devoirs de l'Etat Jonaustique (1683, 2 vols. 4to; vol. 3 in 1685). After his death were published his regulations for the government of La Trappe, and Letters (2 vols.). His Life was written by MM. Maupeon and Marsollier, and by father Dom Pierre le Nain.