Semur-en-Brionnais - Saint-Hilaire

Hugh of Cluny (aka "Hugh the Great", "Saint Hugh", "Hugh of Semur"), abbot of Cluny, was born in this little village (one of the "Plus beaux villages de France") in May 1024. Hugh had the third abbey church at Cluny (aka Cluny III) built, the largest structure in Europe for centuries. He as well had Paray-le-Monial built, he founded Charité-sur-Loire, he was the godfather of Emperor Henry IV (see "Goslar) and an important mediator in the Investiture Controversy.

And Hugh had the former collegiate church Saint-Hilaire, a basilica on a "cluniacensic blueprint" built in his home-village. The construction started of the church 1120/1130.

Here is the "complete couple" on that capital. This is the impression given, after having piously contemplated over the life of Saint Hillary, seen on the masterly carved lintel.