Photos, videos and docs of Martin M. Miles, with the keywords: "Cotentin"

Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte - Abbaye

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 15:06:32 +0000

The "Abbey of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte" was founded in the 11th century and built by monks of the abbey of Jumièges. The abbey church was consecrated within the 12th century, though it was probably not completed then. During the Hundred Years´ War the monks were forced out and parts of the abbey and the church get destroyed. It took long to restore the abbey. The choir, that had been razed, was rebuilt in Gothic style in the fifteenth century. The French Revolution ended the monastic life here. The abbey was sold as national property and was used as a stone quarry.

Marie-Madeleine Postel, born in Barfleur in 1756, had founded the "Sœurs des Écoles chrétiennes de la Miséricorde, today known as "Sœurs de Sainte Marie-Madeleine Postel". In 1832 she could buy the abbey ruins that she wanted to make the home of the congregation. Rebuilding started immediately and already in 1840 Prosper Mérimée classified the church as a "monument historique". Th reconstruction was completed in 1855, nine years after the death of Marie-Madeleine Postel, who was canonized in 1925.

The abbey was severely damaged during WWII, when in June 1944 it was bombed, but meanwhile is in a perfect state.

When Marie-Madeleine Postel and the "sœurs" started here only the southern side wall with the triforium and the crossing of the church were still standing. That means that probably most of the "romanesque" capitals are 19th century neo-romanesque".

Here are the Magi approaching the Holy Family to see young born son.

Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte - AbbayeSaint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte - Abbaye

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 14:13:16 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The "Abbey of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte" was founded in the 11th century and built by monks of the abbey of Jumièges. The abbey church was consecrated within the 12th century, though it was probably not completed then. During the Hundred Years´ War the monks were forced out and parts of the abbey and the church get destroyed. It took long to restore the abbey. The choir, that had been razed, was rebuilt in Gothic style in the fifteenth century. The French Revolution ended the monastic life here. The abbey was sold as national property and was used as a stone quarry.

Marie-Madeleine Postel, born in Barfleur in 1756, had founded the "Sœurs des Écoles chrétiennes de la Miséricorde, today known as "Sœurs de Sainte Marie-Madeleine Postel". In 1832 she could buy the abbey ruins that she wanted to make the home of the congregation. Rebuilding started immediately and already in 1840 Prosper Mérimée classified the church as a "monument historique". Th reconstruction was completed in 1855, nine years after the death of Marie-Madeleine Postel, who was canonized in 1925.

The abbey was severely damaged during WWII, when in June 1944 it was bombed, but meanwhile is in a perfect state. The nave of the abbey church.

When Marie-Madeleine Postel and the "sœurs" started here only the right side wall with the triforium and the crossing were still standing.

Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte - Abbaye

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 12:48:59 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte - Château

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 09:59:55 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The "Château de Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte", dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, was the center of the seigneury of Saint Sauveur. It was besieged twice during the Hundred Years' War. The remains consist of a fortified enceinte with towers and a massive keep from 1346.

Orglandes - Notre-Dame

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 21:35:34 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The parish church "Notre-Dame", in the center of the small village of Orglandes was erected within the 15th century, but some spolia of the Romanesque churches, that was here before, were saved.

One of them is a relief, "reused" here in the tympanum. Christ in a mandorla surrounded by the symbols of the fur evangelists. The two flanking persons are Saint Peter (right), holding a key, and Saint Paul, holding a writing slate.

As I have already uploaded photos from this church after my last visit, this is the only one from here right now. - PiP -

Colomby - Saint-Georges

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 21:13:21 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Colomby, known as "Columbeio"in medieval times, has this large Gothic church, dedicated to Saint George. It was built within the 13th/14th century.

The late Romanesque tympanum in the Gothic side portal probably came from another, older building and probably got "recycled" here. The end buds of the spirals may have looked like "Fleur-de-lis" - and so they got chiselled off in Revolutionary times.

Colomby - Saint-Georges

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 07:42:43 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Colomby, known as "Columbeio"in medieval times, has this large Gothic church, dedicated to Saint George. It was built within the 13th/14th century.

Near the portal are some 18th century graffiti.

Colomby - Saint-Georges

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 21:59:49 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Colomby, known as "Columbeio"in medieval times, has this large Gothic church, dedicated to Saint George. It was built within the 13th/14th century.

This statue of Saint Jacques is younger. He holds the bible (or the "Codex Calixtinus"), a pilgrim's staff and wears a large hat with a "Coquilles Saint-Jacques". So we do know where he is heading to.

Colomby - Saint-Georges

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 21:41:14 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Colomby, known as "Columbeio"in medieval times, has this large Gothic church, dedicated to Saint George. It was built within the 13th/14th century.

Montebourg - Saint-Jacques

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 16:46:57 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Montebourg, located just a few kilometers northwest of "Utah Beach" was a place of heavy fightings in June 1944. The town got largely destroyed and the Church of Saint-Jacques got severly damaged. Impacts of bullets and shells are still visible.

Monks of the nearby "Abbaye de Montebourg", founded by "William the Conquerer" around 1080, were involved, when town and parish developed. The construction of the church started in the early 14th century. It got consecrated in 1329.

The baptismal font inside Saint Jacques was created out of a large Romanesque capital. I could not find any information. The capital may have been "rescued", when the "Abbaye de Montebourg" was sold as "national property" during the French Revolution and the crumbling buildings were used as a quarry.

Montebourg - Saint-Jacques

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 16:22:39 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Huberville - Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 11:12:32 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The erection of this church started in the 11th century. The structure was completed about a century later. All corbels under the roof are dated to 12th century. Later many alterations started. After the choir had been rebuilt already within the 13th century, the church got enlarged in the 15th and 16th century. I could not find out, since when it is dedicated to "Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens"

Near the portal of the church are some "strange" graffiti carved in. They do not look like the "pilgrim graffiti" often seen in the Saintonge area. But as the harbour of Barfleur, that was very busy in medieval times, is very near they may well be carved by "travellers".

Huberville - Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 10:25:32 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Huberville - Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 08:55:37 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tamerville - Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 06:56:38 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The parish church "Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption" in the center of Tamerville has a remarkable Romanesque tower. The erecttion of the church (and the tower) started in 1070 and was completed mid 12th century, but later the church got enlarged and altered a couple of times. The church was dedicated to Saint Mayeul (aka "Mayeul de Cluny", "Majolus of Cluny"). Saint Mayeul, important abbot of Cluny, built Cluny II. There must have been a connection to the Burgundy in the early times.

I had been here five years ago and already uploaded many photos. Now I will add only very few.

Two persons / couples can often be seen on the corbels under the roof, but three persons are very rare. Triplets?

Tamerville - Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 22:34:05 +0000

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Tollevast - Saint-Martin

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 11:50:11 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The single-nave church "Saint-Martin" in the center of Tollevast dates back to the 11th/12th century. The church is known for extraordenary carvings inside and outside. Seigneur Henri de Tollevast, who fought on the side of William the Conquerer in Hastings, founded this church. His tomb can be found inside.

I had been here five years ago and already uploaded many photos. Now I will add only very few.

What a strange, grimacing face! It depicts for sure an emotional stress. Does it show pain? The figure holds a smaller face. Giving birth? It reminds me on two corbels, one in Spain and one in the Alsace. See the PiPs..

Tollevast - Saint-Martin

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 08:54:18 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Tollevast - Saint-Martin

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 21:44:05 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The single-nave church "Saint-Martin" in the center of Tollevast dates back to the 11th/12th century. The church is known for extraordenary carvings inside and outside. Seigneur Henri de Tollevast, who fought on the side of William the Conquerer in Hastings, founded this church. His tomb can be found inside.

I had been here five years ago and already uploaded many photos. Now I will add only very few.

Here is either a very uncommon lion devouring a person - or an even more uncommon ape.

Lessay - Abbay Sainte-Trinité

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 20:22:57 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The abbey Sainte-Trinité was founded around 1056 by Richard Turstin Haldup and his son Eudes au Capel, both Lords of the neighbouring La Haye-du-Puits. Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Bec-Hellouin (aka "Bec Abbey"), about 180kms north, settled here.

In 1098 the choir of the abbey church had already been built, as Eudes died that year and got buried inside the choir. The nave was built in the first years of the 12th century. The church got consecrated in 1178, but it was not fully completed at that date.

One of the key players of the Hundred Years´ War was Charles II of Navarre (aka "Charles the Bad"), who was not only King of Navarre , but as well Count of Évreux. Charles had large possessions in Northern France. His armee destroyed abbey and church in 1356. The church got rebuilt between 1385 and 1420. The last nine convents left the abbey after the French Revolution, when the convent buildings got sold as "National Property" and the abbey church became the parish.

On July 1, 1944, the retreating German army blasted this church, what left nothing but a mountain of rubble. From 1945 on all remaining parts of the puzzle got scrutinized and numbered, before the reconstruction started under the direction of Yves-Marie Froidevaux. The rebuilding of the church was completed in 1958, since then again, it serves the parish.

During the reconstruction after WWII, the grave of Eudes au Capel was found under the collapsed crossing tower. Over the tomb was a rib vault - in 1098. This may be the oldest rib vault all over Europe. Older than Durham (1104), Speyer (1110) and Worms (1130).

On one of the corbels under the roof is a musician, playing the dolio.