Harding, Stephen

Harding, Stephen a religious reformer of the 12th century, was of a noble English family. After making a pilgrimage to Rome, he entered the Benedictine convent of St. Claude de Joux. He subsequently was chosen abbot of the monastery of Bize, with a view to the reformation of its discipline. From Bize he was transferred to Citeaux, of which monastery he was elected abbot in 1109, on the death of Alberic. In 1119 he drew up, conjointly with St. Bernard (of Clairvaux) and ,other members of the brotherhood, the constitution of the Cistercian order, entitled Carta Caritatis. He remained at the head of the order until his death in 1134. SEE CISTERCIANS. (A. J. S.)