Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Perrecy-les-Forges

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. I had visited Perrecy-les-Forges some years ago - and this time the church was indeed open! Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of "Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire". First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed, one arm of the transept collapsed in 1095 - but got reconstructed soon after. 1120/1130 the narthex was added, which is a unique masterpiece. Though obviously the priory run out of funds and so the second tower was never completed. Over the next centuries more chapels were added. The monastery burnt down in 1500 and got dissolved in 1776 by a royal order. All existing buildings but the church got demolished after the French Revolution. The church lost its crossing tower - and as seen here the left aisle, as this once was a basilica with a higher nave and two flanking lower aisles. The wall that ends the nave may date to 1030. The architecture of the wall, that was once supported the crossing tower (with three others), reminds me of Saint-Étienne in Vignory, erected in the same decades.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. I had visited Perrecy-les-Forges some years ago - and this time the church was indeed open! Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of "Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire". First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed, one arm of the transept collapsed in 1095 - but got reconstructed soon after. 1120/1130 the narthex was added, which is a unique masterpiece. Though obviously the priory run out of funds and so the second tower was never completed. Over the next centuries more chapels were added. The monastery burnt down in 1500 and got dissolved in 1776 by a royal order. All existing buildings but the church got demolished after the French Revolution. The church lost its crossing tower. The spectacular narthex with the wonderful carvings survived all wars and revolutions. The warrior wears a helmet and holds a shield and a sling. But his body has a strange anatomic detail, where all humans I ever met have a navel.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. I had visited Perrecy-les-Forges some years ago - and this time the church was indeed open! Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of "Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire". First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed, one arm of the transept collapsed in 1095 - but got reconstructed soon after. 1120/1130 the narthex was added, which is a unique masterpiece. Though obviously the priory run out of funds and so the second tower was never completed. Over the next centuries more chapels were added. The monastery burnt down in 1500 and got dissolved in 1776 by a royal order. All existing buildings but the church got demolished after the French Revolution. The church lost its crossing tower. The spectacular narthex with the wonderful carvings survived all wars and revolutions.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. I had visited Perrecy-les-Forges some years ago - and this time the church was indeed open! Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of "Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire". First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed, one arm of the transept collapsed in 1095 - but got reconstructed soon after. 1120/1130 the narthex was added, which is a unique masterpiece. Though obviously the priory run out of funds and so the second tower was never completed. Over the next centuries more chapels were added. The monastery burnt down in 1500 and got dissolved in 1776 by a royal order. All existing buildings but the church got demolished after the French Revolution. The church lost its crossing tower. The spectacular narthex with the wonderful carvings survived all wars and revolutions.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. I had visited Perrecy-les-Forges some years ago - and this time the church was indeed open! Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of "Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire". First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed, one arm of the transept collapsed in 1095 - but got reconstructed soon after. 1120/1130 the narthex was added, which is a unique masterpiece. Though obviously the priory run out of funds and so the second tower was never completed. Over the next centuries more chapels were added. The monastery burnt down in 1500 and got dissolved in 1776 by a royal order. All existing buildings but the church got demolished after the French Revolution. The church lost its crossing tower. The spectacular narthex with the wonderful carvings survived all wars and revolutions. The tympanum depicts "Christ in Majesty" flanked by two seraphims (6 wings each). Seen on the (weathered) lintel below is (fltr): the "Kiss of Judas", Jesus gets arrested, Peter cuts off Malchus´ ear with a sword.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. I had visited Perrecy-les-Forges some years ago - and this time the church was indeed open! Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of "Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire". First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed, one arm of the transept collapsed in 1095 - but got reconstructed soon after. 1120/1130 the narthex was added, which is a unique masterpiece. Though obviously the priory run out of funds and so the second tower was never completed. Over the next centuries more chapels were added. The monastery burnt down in 1500 and got dissolved in 1776 by a royal order. All existing buildings but the church got demolished after the French Revolution. The church lost its crossing tower. The spectalular narthex with the wonderful carvings survived all wars and revolutions.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. I had visited Perrecy-les-Forges some years ago - and this time the church was indeed open! Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of "Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire". First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed, one arm of the transept collapsed in 1095 - but got reconstructed soon after. 1120/1130 the narthex was added, which is a unique masterpiece. Though obviously the priory run out of funds and so the second tower was never completed. Over the next centuries more chapels were added. The monastery burnt down in 1500 and got dissolved in 1776 by a royal order. All existing buildings but the church got demolished after the French Revolution. The church lost its crossing tower. The spectalular narthex with the wonderful carvings survived all wars and revolutions.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. I had visited Perrecy-les-Forges some years ago - and this time the church was indeed open! Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of "Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire". First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed, one arm of the transept collapsed in 1095 - but got reconstructed soon after. 1120/1130 the narthex was added, which is a unique masterpiece. Though obviously the priory run out of funds and so the second tower was never completed. Over the next centuries more chapels were added. The monastery burnt down in 1500 and got dissolved in 1776 by a royal order. All existing buildings but the church got demolished after the French Revolution. The church lost its crossing tower. The spectalular narthex with the wonderful carvings survived all wars and revolutions. I had seen these elephants before, but I could not resist to take more and more photos.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. I had visited Perrecy-les-Forges some years ago - and this time the church was indeed open! Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of "Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire". First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed, one arm of the transept collapsed in 1095 - but got reconstructed soon after. 1120/1130 the narthex was added, which is a unique masterpiece. Though obviously the priory run out of funds and so the second tower was never completed. Over the next centuries more chapels were added. The monastery burnt down in 1500 and got dissolved in 1776 by a royal order. All existing buildings but the church got demolished after the French Revolution. The church lost its crossing tower. The spectalular narthex with the wonderful carvings survived all wars and revolutions. I had seen these elephants before, but I could not resist to take more and more photos.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. I had visited Perrecy-les-Forges some years ago - and this time the church was indeed open! Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of "Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire". First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed, one arm of the transept collapsed in 1095 - but got reconstructed soon after. 1120/1130 the narthex was added, which is a unique masterpiece. Though obviously the priory run out of funds and so the second tower was never completed. Over the next centuries more chapels were added. The monastery burnt down in 1500 and got dissolved in 1776 by a royal order. All existing buildings but the church got demolished after the French Revolution. The church lost its crossing tower. The spectalular narthex with the wonderful carvings survived all wars and revolutions. I had seen these elephants before, but I could not resist to take more and more photos.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. I had visited Perrecy-les-Forges some years ago - and this time the church was indeed open! Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of "Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire". First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed, one arm of the transept collapsed in 1095 - but got reconstructed soon after. 1120/1130 the narthex was added, which is a unique masterpiece. Though obviously the priory run out of funds and so the second tower was never completed. Over the next centuries more chapels were added. The monastery burnt down in 1500 and got dissolved in 1776 by a royal order. All existing buildings but the church got demolished after the French Revolution. The church lost its crossing tower.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. When I visited Perrecy-les-Forges in April 2011 I had the impression, that the church and the museum were locked since years. Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed here. 1120/1130 the large narthex was added, which is - a unique masterpiece. This capital in the narthex depicts a "Luxuria", sitting/standing in a barrel/bathtube. I have the impression, she is sitting in a bathtube, hands cover her knees. - Compared to the warriors and angels seen here (and all the foliage around), the carving of the Luxuria and the two snakes seems a bit "rough". Even taking in account, that somebody took the effort to destroy her face.

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. When I visited Perrecy-les-Forges in April 2011 I had the impression, that the church and the museum were locked since years. Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed here. 1120/1130 the large narthex was added, which is - a unique masterpiece. This capital - for me - is the most interesting in Perrecy-les-Forges. Decades ago during my first year at university I wrote an essay, dealing with the subject "Medieval Elephants". There were only three elephants during medieval times: Abul Abbas, a present from Harun al Raschid to Charlemagne. Abul Abbas reached Aix La Chapelle in 802 died 810 after swimming in the Rhine. The Cremona-elephant was a present from Al Kamil to Frederik II in 1229. The third elephant was brought to Europe by Louis IX (Saint Louis) in 1255. It was given to Henry III and died in London 1258. There was not a single elephant in Europe between 810 and 1229, and this capital was carved 1120/1130. - It may be, that the carver of this "exotic" capital, was a well travelled person, but I doubt it. It is a phantastic carving designed completely out of rumours about a giant animal living far behind the horiziont. The animal would have a large nose or trunk, long teeth - and totally "uncommon" feet. Over the distances, the size of the ears got lost and the feet got fanshaped, but that is all details. Actually these elephants are pretty precise! I have built up a collection of medivale elephants, if you want to see more, just follow the link: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/galleries/7215762494.. .

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. When I visited Perrecy-les-Forges in April 2011 I had the impression, that the church and the museum were locked since years. Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed here. 1120/1130 the large narthex was added, which is - a unique masterpiece. This capital - for me - is the most interesting in Perrecy-les-Forges. Decades ago during my first year at university I wrote an essay, dealing with the subject "Medieval Elephants". There were only three elephants during medieval times: Abul Abbas, a present from Harun al Raschid to Charlemagne. Abul Abbas reached Aix La Chapelle in 802 died 810 after swimming in the Rhine. The Cremona-elephant was a present from Al Kamil to Frederik II in 1229. The third elephant was brought to Europe by Louis IX (Saint Louis) in 1255. It was given to Henry III and died in London 1258. There was not a single elephant in Europe between 810 and 1229, and this capital was carved 1120/1130. - It may be, that the carver of this "exotic" capital, was a well travelled person, but I doubt it. It is a phantastic carving designed completely out of rumours about a giant animal living far behind the horiziont. The animal would have a large nose or trunk, long teeth - and totally "uncommon" feet. Over the distances, the size of the ears got lost and the feet got fanshaped, but that is all details. Actually these elephants are pretty precise! I have built up a collection of medivale elephants, if you want to see more, just follow the link: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/galleries/7215762494...

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. When I visited Perrecy-les-Forges in April 2011 I had the impression, that the church and the museum were locked since years. Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed here. 1120/1130 the large narthex was added, which is - a unique masterpiece. This capital - for me - is the most interesting in Perrecy-les-Forges. Decades ago during my first year at university I wrote an essay, dealing with the subject "Medieval Elephants". There were only three elephants during medieval times: Abul Abbas, a present from Harun al Raschid to Charlemagne. Abul Abbas reached Aix La Chapelle in 802 died 810 after swimming in the Rhine. The Cremona-elephant was a present from Al Kamil to Frederik II in 1229. The third elephant was brought to Europe by Louis IX (Saint Louis) in 1255. It was given to Henry III and died in London 1258. There was not a single elephant in Europe between 810 and 1229, and this capital was carved 1120/1130. - It may be, that the carver of this "exotic" capital, was a well travelled person, but I doubt it. It is a phantastic carving designed completely out of rumours about a giant animal living far behind the horiziont. The animal would have a large nose or trunk, long teeth - and totally "uncommon" feet. Over the distances, the size of the ears got lost and the feet got fanshaped, but that is all details. Actually these elephants are pretty precise! I have built up a collection of medivale elephants, if you want to see more, just follow the link: www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/galleries/7215762494.. .

The church of the former Priory Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Benoît is now the parish church of the village. When I visited Perrecy-les-Forges in April 2011 I had the impression, that the church and the museum were locked since years. Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne and leader of the frankish armee in the Battle of Tours (732), gave the Perrecey estate to his brother Childebrand as a gift to thank him for defeating the Sarascens in the valleys of the Rhone and the Saône in 732. Childebrands heirs bequeated it to the abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire. First monks settled here 880/885. Some parts of the westwork may date back to the 9th century. 1020/1030 a romanesque basilica was constructed here. 1120/1130 the large narthex was added, which is - a unique masterpiece. This capital in the narthex depicts a mermaid in the middle of the foliage all capitals here have. Similar to the nearby Luxuria, the carving is a bit rough - and somebody took the effort to destroy her face. Note the row of small holes, that seem to mark the belt.