Gilbert became abbot of Swineshead in the Lincolnshire fens—known as ‘hollandia’—shortly after that and other savigniac abbeys were incorporated in 1147 into the Cistercian Order. He may have been trained—perhaps even at Cîteaux—as a Cistercian and sent to help with the transition. A great admirer of Bernard, a friend of neighboring abbots Aelred of Rielvaulx and Roger of Byland, and the spiritual father of his monks, he was also their guardian in turbulent times.