Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: waltz

Saint-Marcouf - Saint-Marcouf

19 Sep 2014 1 271
"Saint-Marcouf" is the parish church of Saint-Marcouf, a small village near the Utah Beach, the westernmost of the landing beaches during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. The church was erected within the 11th century, but got enlarged and altered about 200 years later. The church is dedicated to Saint Marcouf, a Bayeux-born missionary, who founded the abbey of de Nanteuil (aka "Nantus"), that existed upto about 1500 on a small island just off the coast and named today "Îles Saint-Marcouf". The Saint died on the island in 588. During medieval times Saint Marcouf was best known for the healing of scrofula. There are many corbels under the roof Saint-Marcouf. When there is music in the air (see previous upload), there will be dancers on the ground! This smiling couple is dancing a waltz, that is why they are on the left side of the corbel. They need the space to spin around, as that is the original meaning of "waltz" (in Middle High German). Actually I am not sure about the lady's name. In case her name was Matilda, this would be a different story.