The speed, extent and tenacity of Cistercian expansion was by all accounts extraordinary and seemed to differ markedly from other monastic movements of the 12th century. Their growth from one to seven foundations to more than three hundred in the span of fifty years was almost entirely unexpected by contemporary standards. However, when one delves into the history of the order and examines the factors that differentiated it from other similar monastic institutions of the same period, one begins to see a number of portentous factors that undoubtedly contributed to such explosive growth. Perhaps one of the reasons why the Cistercians expanded was the “social catholicity” of its appeal. This was something that differed greatly from other Benedictine institutions of the time, for example Cluny. The early Cistercians wished to roll back the centuries of monastic development which, in their view, had overshadowed Benedictine rule. The Cistercians believed unshakably in the pure simplicity of St. Benedict's design, something that was simply not present in other 12th-century monastic institutions that wished to embrace the changes that had occurred. This position was applied to all aspects of life, such as clothing, food, buildings and furniture. The Cistercian conviction was completely solid. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux's main complaint against Peter the Venerable (and the Cluniacs more generally) was that they simply did not adhere strictly enough to the rule of Saint Benedict. Something that one could certainly argue was true. The Cistercian statues decreed that the rule of Saint Benedict was nothing other than the pure gospel of Christ, as such it was fundamental that the original ideal was kept as free from ideological erosion... ....national meaning tithes, incomes , donations from benefactors etc.P.253, Western Society and the Church in the Middle Ages, RW Southern.P.190, Medieval Monasticism, CH Lawrence.P.260, Western Society and the Church in the Middle Ages, RW SouthernP.174, Monasticism medieval, CH Lawrence1152-lighting reduced to two candles, 1157-Tower construction prohibited, Late 12th century-Color scheme redefined.P.6, Cistercian architectural purism, Francois Bucher. The apse allowed for an indefinite increase in altars while the adaptable nave made way for an often large number of Conversi to be accommodated.P.13, Cistercian architectural purism, Francois Bucher.Romanesque architecture had reached its peak and the new Gothic style was gaining prevalence in the Ile de France.P.21, Cistercian architectural purism, Francois Bucher.