Theobald of Marly

Religious life

Around 1220, Theobald discussed entering the religious life with Thomas, the abbot of Vaux-de-Cernay. Thomas advised him to think about his desire for religious life as a Cistercian, as it would be more austere than the life led before.

During his tenure as abbot he oversaw the repair and expanded the abbey, including the maintenance of existing buildings, and grew the number of monks. In July 1240, the queen gave birth to their first daughter, and ten other siblings. The grateful king and queen endowed the Vaux-de-Cernay abbey. and was buried in the chapter house with his predecessors.

After his death, his tomb became a pilgrimage site. Among the pilgrims were then queen Margaret of Provence with her son Philip. As they could not enter the chapter room to see the tomb of the saint, his remains were transferred in 1270 to the abbey church.

During the French Revolution, the abbey was destroyed and Theobald's relics were burned, with the exception of his skull which is preserved in the Sainte-Marie Chapel of the . He is venerated in Thann and Hemel Hempstead.