The founding tradition says that the Bishop of Laon and Norbert visited Prémontré about the middle of January and that the bishop gave the white habit to Norbert on 25 January, the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. At the conclusion of the Council of Liège (1131), Pope Innocent II and Norbert came to Laon and stayed with Bishop Bartholomew. They also visited Prémontré Abbey and were delighted to see some five hundred religious – priests, clerics, and lay-brothers – all united in the observance of their duties under Abbot Hugh of Fosse.
According to the founding tradition, Bishop of Laon and Norbert paid a visit to Prémontré in mid-January, where the bishop presented the white habit to Norbert on January 25th, the feast day of Saint Paul's Conversion. Following the Council of Liège (1131), Pope Innocent II and Norbert arrived in Laon and stayed with Bishop Bartholomew. They also visited Prémontré Abbey and were delighted by the presence of five hundred religious – priests, clerics, and lay-brothers – all observing their duties under Abbot Hugh of Fosse.