Gilbert of Sempringham, St (c. 1083–1189)

Founder of the Gilbertines, the only purely English religious order. His feast day is on 4 February.

As incumbent of Sempringham in Lincolnshire, he encouraged seven women of his parish to adopt a rule of life similar to that of the Cistercians, and received their vows on behalf of Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln. Soon afterwards he associated with them communities of lay sisters and lay brothers to help with the manual work. In 1148 the order was approved by Rome, and Gilbert, having failed to secure its affiliation to Citeaux, placed it under the spiritual direction of canons regular, and it thus became a double order. The Gilbertines flourished from the start; at Gilbert's death there were nine double monasteries and four of canons only.