Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: mirror

Founded by Adhémar des Echelles in 930 and rebuilt and reconstructed many times, the castles still towers of the confluence of rivers Ouysse and the Dordogne. The Château de Belcastel mirrored on the waters of the Ouysse. Yes, it is seen upside down.

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as once upon a time Prince Raymond of Poitou and Fairy Melusine founded the dynasty. The family resided in a castle, that in medieval times was one of the largest in France. The ruins of the castle got demolished in the 19th century, but this church, founded by Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, in 1024 just opposite the castle still exists. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. It got already seriously damaged during a conflict between the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lusignan in 1168. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. An elegant mermaid holding a mirror. A symbol of vanity.

Sens was an important place in medieval times. Upto the 11th century the Archbishop of Sens hold the title "Primate of the Gauls and Germania". Thomas Becket lived in Sens for some time, when he was forced to leave England. Here Thomas met Pope Pope Alexander III. In 1141 Bishop Henri Sanglier here caused the condemnation of Peter Abelard. Bishop Henri Sanglier was well connected to the leading political figures. He and Abbot Suger de Saint-Denis were close friends - and had similar architectural ideas. Abbot Suger decided around 1137 to rebuild the Church of Saint-Denis. Bishop Henri started the construction of this cathedral around 1140. It is still discussed, which church is older, as this would be the oldest early Gothic church in France. While in Saint Denis (130kms northwest) the building process came to an halt for some time, the choir of the cathedral in Sens was completed already in 1168. It is sure, as Suger´s church in Saint Denis was an abbey church, the "Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Sens" is the oldest Gothic cathedral in France. Of course, there were many alterations done later. After the southern tower of the western facade collapsed in 1267 it got rebuilt within the next decades. When Pope Alexander III consecrated the cathedral in 1164 it may not have been fully completed. On 27 May 1234 Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") married Marguerite de Provence, who was 13 years old at that time. Many carvings are Romanesque, this one is younger. A mermaid equipped with the symbols of vanity: a comb and a mirror.

The Catedral de Santa Maria in Tudela was erected late 12th century on the place, where the Great Mosque of Tudela (9th c.) had stood before. The cathedral is really large (65m x 52m) but unfortunately was closed, so I could not see the well known cloister. I was very impressed by the late-Romanesque "Puerta del Juicio". The slightly pointed portal, created wirthin the 13th century, has eight archivolts and 122 different icons. On the left side is an insight view into hell, demons and devils at work. Two evil-looking devils hold a Luxuria. The left (horned?) devil holds a round object behind the Luxuria´s head. Maybe a mirror, symbol of vanity.

Marciac has its fame from the annual Jazz Festival, that was going on, when I reached the small town - and decided to stay for two days. The interior of the late gothic "Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption" was quiet and uncrowded. The church was erected in the 15th century, but some older, Romanesque carvings got reused here. Under the power line is this mermaid, holding a comb and a mirror. So she stands for vanity, a symbol that can often be found in gothic churches.

This mermaid can be seen in the left side chapel of the parish church Saint-Philibert in Charlieu. The chapel was added to the church end of 15th century. This (compared to her two collegues in the nearby abbey) small and skinny mermaid only has one tail - and holds a mirror and a comb. This are symbols of "vanitias".