The Slaughter of the Innocents

Candes-Saint-Martin lies at the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire and is considered to be the place where St Martin died in a monastery he founded himself in 397. The pilgrimage church of Saint Martin stands on the site of the house where he died. Based on the architecture, sculptural decoration and iconography, it is likely that the collegiate church was donated around 1180 by King Henry II of England, who ruled the area at the time. It was built at the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th century. In response to the Hundred Years' War the church was fortified in the 15th century. The boundary between the territories controlled by the French and the English, which was shifting, passed not far from Candes in the first part of the 15th century. The towers flanking the façade and the other ones, at the north porch, had their summits taken up and crowned by machicolations. The fortified towers are connected by a patrol path that climbs the slopes of the roof. The Slaughter of the Innocents

Estella was founded in 1090 by King Sancho Ramírez to encourage frankish merchants, to settle here and so support the pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostella. Recent excavations have proven, that early immigrants came from Le Puy ("Via Podensis") and Tour ("Via Turonensis"). The name "Estella" (= star) seems to be choosen by very experienced marketing specialists to start the business, as this refers to the Magi and as well to Charlemagne as he "saw in the heaven a pathway of stars" leading to Galicia (Pseudo Turpin). Aymeric Picaud, author the Codex Calixtinus, praises the food here and even mentions the "healthy water". Estella thrived, in 1354 there were six hospitals of pilgrims here. The "Iglesia de San Pedro de la Rúa" was mentioned already in 1174, in 1256 this was the largest church in Estella. Attached to "San Pedro de la Rúa" is the cloister, just like the church it got erected within the 12th century. Two sides of the cloister survived the times, though some of the carvings are rather weathered. The "Massacre of the Innocents" Matthew 2:16 "When Herod knew the magi had fooled him, he grew very angry. He sent soldiers to kill all the children in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding territory who were two years old and younger, according to the time that he had learned from the magi."

The Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames was the first Benedictine abbey for women Charente-Maritime. It was founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II (aka "Geoffrey Martel") and his first wife Agnes of Burgundy. Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of Richard Lionheart, was a great donor here. The place, where the abbey got erected, was a Roman cemetery. An Oratorium, over the tomb of Saint Pallais, existed here already in the 6th century. Saintes was a major halt for the pilgrims following the Via Turonensis, so the abbey developed well, during the first centuries. During the 100 Year´s War the abbey got ruined, reconstructed later, it got severely damaged by Huguenots during the Wars of Religions. The abbey existed up to the end of the 18th century. After the French Revolution the buldings served as prison and from 1808 on as a barracks. The church was used as a stable for the horses of the cavalry. The barracks were here up to the early 1920s, before the first renovations were started. In 1938 the abbey church "Sainte-Marie" got consecrated again. The 5th archivolt depicts cruel scenes, reminding me on "Killing Fields". About 50 people populate the archivolt. There are fully dressed, armed soldiers (?), who slaughter smaller, naked persons with swords. Inbetween are some women, maybe mothers. It is widely believed that this archivolt depicts the "Massacre of the Innocents". Here a more detailed photo. The soldier to the right uses a battleaxe. This surprised me, as "Martel" the "nom de guerre" of the quarrelsome founder Geoffrey II means "hammer" or "axe".

The Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames was the first Benedictine abbey for women Charente-Maritime. It was founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II (aka "Geoffrey Martel") and his first wife Agnes of Burgundy. Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of Richard Lionheart, was a great donor here. The place, where the abbey got erected, was a Roman cemetery. An Oratorium, over the tomb of Saint Pallais, existed here already in the 6th century. Saintes was a major halt for the pilgrims following the Via Turonensis, so the abbey developed well, during the first centuries. During the 100 Year´s War the abbey got ruined, reconstructed later, it got severely damaged by Huguenots during the Wars of Religions. The abbey existed up to the end of the 18th century. After the French Revolution the buldings served as prison and from 1808 on as a barracks. The church was used as a stable for the horses of the cavalry. The barracks were here up to the early 1920s, before the first renovations were started. In 1938 the abbey church "Sainte-Marie" got consecrated again. The 5th archivolt depicts cruel scenes, reminding me on "Killing Fields". About 50 people populate the archivolt. There are fully dressed, armed soldiers (?), who slaughter (little) smaller, naked persons with swords. Inbetween are some women, maybe mothers. It is widely believed that this archivolt depicts the "Massacre of the Innocents". Here a more detailed photo. The soldier to the left uses a club.

The Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames was the first Benedictine abbey for women Charente-Maritime. It was founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II (aka "Geoffrey Martel") and his first wife Agnes of Burgundy. Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of Richard Lionheart, was a great donor here. The place, where the abbey got erected, was a Roman cemetery. An Oratorium, over the tomb of Saint Pallais, existed here already in the 6th century. Saintes was a major halt for the pilgrims following the Via Turonensis, so the abbey developed well, during the first centuries. During the 100 Year´s War the abbey got ruined, reconstructed later, it got severely damaged by Huguenots during the Wars of Religions. The abbey existed up to the end of the 18th century. After the French Revolution the buldings served as prison and from 1808 on as a barracks. The church was used as a stable for the horses of the cavalry. The barracks were here up to the early 1920s, before the first renovations were started. In 1938 the abbey church "Sainte-Marie" got consecrated again. The 5th archivolt depicts cruel scenes, reminding me on "Killing Fields". About 50 people populate the archivolt. There are fully dressed, armed soldiers (?), who slaughter smaller, naked persons with swords. Inbetween are some women, maybe mothers. It is widely believed that this archivolt depicts the "Massacre of the Innocents".

In 1080, when Morlaàs was in its heydays, the building of this church started by Centulle V, Viscount of Béarn, who had to make an atonement. Morlaàs developed to an important "étape" on the Via Tolosana at that time. As the church was dedicated to St. Foy there was a kind of "link" to Conques. Later the pilgrimage business declined, the viscounts had moved away, wars arose.... The church burnt down in 1520, got severely damaged in 1569. During the French Revolution the church turned to a "Temple of Reason". The restorations of the 19th century saved the structure. Viollet-le-Duc, the influential "Inspecteur général des Edifices Diocésains" led the restoration of the portal. At all places, where he worked (eg "Carcasonne", "Vézelay"), he "recreated" and creatively "completed", what is a method, that is disputed meanwhile. The perfect condition of the portal is a result of this restoration. In the center of the tympanum Christ in Majesty flanked by the symbols of two of the four evangelists: Matthew (left) and John (right). Below are two biblical scene: The "Massacre of the Innocents" and the "Flight to Egypt". Matthew 2:13-16 "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying" I have no idea, what the large group of ducks on the outer archivolt stands for.

Notre Dame, the parish church of the small town of Attigny, dates back to the 12th century was built, where a merovingian chapel, placed in the center of a large merovingian necropolis, stood before. It is proven, that Notre Dame in 1184 existed in dependence of the Benedictian monastery (4kms north). The structure seen today was altered rebuilt and renovated many times. Notre Dame is known for its frescoes. In 1421 Renaud de Montléon, squire of the noble Seigneurs de Boismorand, bequeathed by last will, that a chapel should be erected here. This chapel, dedicated to Sainte-Catherine, was built and all the walls were covered with frescoes between 1430 and 1490. Seen here in the center is the "Adoration of the Magi". Left of them are the "Angels and Shepherds" and to the right the "Massacre of the Innocents". Below is the Flagellation of Christ - and above three knights meeting three devils. Many churches in the valley of the Gartempe river are decorated with murals. Tourists may follow "Circuit Vallée des Fresques".

Moradillo de Sedano is a small hamlet, about 50kms north of Burgos. The "Iglesia de San Esteban" was built on a little hill. Following an inscription, the church was completed in 1188. The church has been enlarged during the 14th century, when a Gothic apse was added. A recently added porch protects the southern portal. Here are the tympanum and the archivolts. Christ (Pantocrator) is seated in the center of an oval mandorla on a sculptured throne (lions). Around him are four angels holding the evangelists´ symbols, flanked by St. Peter and St. Paul. Around the two halfs of the mandorla runs an inscription, that reads "vicit leo de tribu iuda, radix David, alelluia". There are three archivolts. The outer one has floral patterns, the middle one a mixture of mythical beasts and biblical scenes, while the inner one is populated by the 24 crowned Elders of the Apocalypse. There are twelve on either sides plus one angel in the center. The center of the middle archivolt depicts from left to right: Massacre of the Innocents, Annunciation, Visitation, Massacre, Centaur/Sagittarius, Samson, Warrior, Griffin, Massacre, Flight into Egypt

Moradillo de Sedano is a small hamlet, about 50kms north of Burgos. The "Iglesia de San Esteban" was built on a little hill. Following an inscription, the church was completed in 1188. The church has been enlarged during the 14th century, when a Gothic apse was added. A recently added porch protects the southern portal. Here are the tympanum and the archivolts. Christ (Pantocrator) is seated in the center of an oval mandorla on a sculptured throne (lions). Around him are four angels holding the evangelists´ symbols, flanked by St. Peter and St. Paul. Around the two halfs of the mandorla runs an inscription, that reads "vicit leo de tribu iuda, radix David, alelluia". There are three archivolts. The outer one has floral patterns, the middle one a mixture of mythical beasts and biblical scenes, while the inner one is populated by the 24 crowned Elders of the Apocalypse. There are twelve on either sides plus one angel in the center. The center of the middle archivolt depicts from left to right: Massacre of the Innocents, Annunciation, Visitation, Massacre, Centaur/Sagittarius, Samson, Warrior, Griffin, Massacre, Flight into Egypt.