From 1135 to 1144, Abbot Suger initiated a major expansion of the Carolingian church of Saint-Denis Abbey, with the support of King Louis VI, known as ‘le Gros’. Having entered the monastery at the age of 10, Suger rose through the ranks. As abbot, he modernized the administration of the abbey and increased its wealth. With this money he rebuilt the upper parts of the abbey church and introduced the first successful cross vault among a forest of columns. The walls between the chapels were removed and the surface of the stained glass windows was doubled. An innovative architectural style that would later be called Gothic.