Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: battle

A priory had existed here already from 768 on. The Benedictine abbey was founded 1088, the church of today was built in the 12th century replacing a previous, smaller church, erected probably in the 10th century. The abbey belonged to the Sacra di San Michele Abbey in Piedmont (more than 700 kms east). The church was strongly fortified and had battlements, watchtowers and even moats at that time. The facade got heavily vandalized during the French Revolution, when the rioting revolutionists used hammers to destroy sculptures and carvings. This (for me) does not look like a tympanum. Here fragments are "glued" together that were found, after the vandals had left. In the center is a (headless) sculture. The upper band (and the right side if the center) depict scenes from hell. The left side of the center may depict the shepherds of Bethlehem. The lower one has battle scenes.

The place belonged to the Abbey Saint-Étienne in Baignes (16kms south) end of the 11th century, when the nave of Saint-Martin was built. The apse was added within the 12th century. When in 1953 conservators washed and peeled off the last coat of white paint and plaster from the 12th century walls of the apse, they discovered - graffitti! When in the 12th century the walls were completed, but not yet covered with plaster, some unknown person covered the side walls with graffiti. Over square meters! On the southern side (seen here) are sketches of warlike situations. There are of course many (easy to identify!) knights and warriors (previous uploads). This one is much more difficult. The sketch may depict a large catapult, a siege engine, used in medieval wars to break walls.

The place belonged to the Abbey Saint-Étienne in Baignes (16kms south) end of the 11th century, when the nave of Saint-Martin was built. The apse was added within the 12th century. When in 1953 conservators washed and peeled off the last coat of white paint and plaster from the 12th century walls of the apse, they discovered - graffitti! When in the 12th century the walls were completed, but not yet covered with plaster, some unknown person covered the side walls with graffiti. Over square meters! On the southern side (seen here) are sketches of warlike situations. A knight and his squire. Remind me on Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

The place belonged to the Abbey Saint-Étienne in Baignes (16kms south) end of the 11th century, when the nave of Saint-Martin was built. The apse was added within the 12th century. When in 1953 conservators washed and peeled off the last coat of white paint and plaster from the 12th century walls of the apse, they discovered - graffitti! When in the 12th century the walls were completed, but not yet covered with plaster, some unknown person covered the side walls with graffiti. Over square meters! On the southern side (seen here) are sketches of warlike situations. A group of knights in full armor riding into à battle. One of the opponents can already partly seen to the left.