His writings remain seminal texts for early twelfth-century Capetian history , and his reconstruction of the Basilica of Saint-Denis , where he was abbot, was instrumental in creating the Gothic architecture style. Suger was born into a family of minor knights c. Denis at age ten in This ability led to him being chosen to work in the abbey archives to find documents that could protect the abbey from usurpation by Bouchard II of Montmorency , where historians speculate of his involvement in the appearance of a forged charter —if this was Suger's work, then it is certainly a fitting reflection and early example of his close admiration of the abbey.
Suger began a successful career in monastic administration as he went on several missions for his abbey, which held land at several vantage points across the country. Finding favour with the abbot of Saint-Denis, Abbot Adam, Suger's political career would develop under him as in he became his secretary.
During this time, he held administrative roles that required him to be first at Berneval in Normandy in as provost, then from mid to provost to the more important priory of Toury. The area was suffering as a result of Hugh III of Le Puiset 's exploitation of revenues, with a series of disputes and failing alliances eventually led to Suger gaining experience on the battlefield.
It is from when the sources start again, where Suger is deeply entrenched in royal affairs. It was on his return from in March that Suger, now 41, learned of Abbot Adam's death and that the others at the abbey had elected him to be the new abbot. Suger took pride in the fact that this happened in his absence and without his knowledge—whilst Louis was initially enraged at the fact that the decision was made without him being consulted first, he was clearly content with Suger assuming the role, as the two enjoyed a strong working relationship.
Until , he occupied himself at court mainly with the temporal affairs of the kingdom, while during the following decade he devoted himself to the reorganization and reform of St-Denis. In , he accompanied the future king, Louis VII , into Aquitaine on the occasion of that prince's marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine , and during the Second Crusade served as one of the regents of the kingdom — He bitterly opposed the king's divorce, having himself advised the marriage.
