CARTHUSIANS

carthusians, an order of monks founded by st bruno (q.v.). in 1084 bruno and his six companions presented themselves before the bishop of grenoble and explained to him their desire to lead an ascetical life in a solitary place. he pointed out to them a desolate spot named chartreuse, on the mountains near grenoble, rocky and precipitous, and snow-covered during a great portion of the year, and told them they might there carry out their design. they built themselves three huts and an oratory, and gave themselves up to a life of prayer and silence and extreme austerity. after a few years bruno was summoned to rome by urban