The Abbey of Fontenay was founded in 1146 in Burgundy, France, as a Cistercian monastery. This establishment played a crucial role in the spread of monastic reform and the Cistercian order's influence across Europe. The abbey became a center for spiritual life and learning, impacting the cultural landscape of the region and contributing to the development of medieval literature and poetry.

The Cistercian order emphasized simplicity and directness in their writings, which influenced the poetic styles of the time. The works produced in monasteries like Fontenay contributed to the preservation of classical texts and the development of vernacular literature, paving the way for future poets to explore themes of nature, spirituality, and human experience.