In 1051, the Abbey of Cluny in Burgundy, France, became a significant center for monastic reform and culture. This abbey was pivotal in the Cluniac reform movement, which sought to restore the original Benedictine rule and promote a more spiritual and less worldly approach to monastic life. The influence of Cluny extended across Europe, shaping religious practices and inspiring a wave of literary and artistic expression in the medieval period.

The Cluniac reforms encouraged a flourishing of religious poetry and hymns, as monks sought to express their spirituality through verse. Notable poets like Hroswitha of Gandersheim, who was influenced by the Cluniac ideals, produced works that combined classical themes with Christian morality, thus enriching the literary landscape of the time.