Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: effigy

Burton Agnes is a village with a population of about 500. It was named after Agnes de Percy, a descendant of the Norman nobleman William de Percy, who participated in the Norman conquest of England. St Martins Church dates to the 13th century and stands on a hillside behind historic Burton Agnes Hall. End of the 12th century, a north aisle was added to the Church. The earlier wall was pierced with an arcade of three bays. This aisle was much narrower than the present one. In the second quarter of the 13th century a south aisle was added to the nave. This aisle also was originally narrower than it is at present. Early in the 14th century both aisles were widened. Located in the middle of the Lady Chapel is this altar tomb. The effigies represent Sir Walter Griffith (+1481) and his wife Joan Nevill. Sir Walter wears armour of the 15th century. He was known as the "Dark Knight"', who fought for the Lancastrians in the Wars of the Roses. The lady's hair is bound with a fillet. On her side a small effigy, representing her son or daughter.

Burton Agnes is a village with a population of about 500. It was named after Agnes de Percy, a descendant of the Norman nobleman William de Percy, who participated in the Norman conquest of England. St Martins Church dates to the 13th century and stands on a hillside behind historic Burton Agnes Hall. End of the 12th century, a north aisle was added to the Church. The earlier wall was pierced with an arcade of three bays. This aisle was much narrower than the present one. In the second quarter of the 13th century a south aisle was added to the nave. This aisle also was originally narrower than it is at present. Early in the 14th century both aisles were widened. Located in the middle of the Lady Chapel is this altar tomb. The effigies represent Sir Walter Griffith (+1481) and his wife Joan Nevill. Sir Walter wears armour of the 15th century. He was known as the "Dark Knight"', who fought for the Lancastrians in the Wars of the Roses.

Douglas developed around Douglas Castle, the ancestral seat of the black line of the influential Clan Douglas and the Earls of Douglas. They were friends to Robert the Bruce and one of the most powerful noble families in 1300s Scotland. This position brought them in conflict with the Stewart King James II and in 1455 they were overthrown. A church was mentioned on the site as early as the 12th century. The current St Bride's Church probably dates from the 14th century. Archibald ‘the Grim’, 3rd earl of Douglas, modified the church as a resting-place for his father, Sir James of Douglas, who died in 1330, and so the church became the mausoleum of the Black Douglases`. The effigies of James Stewart and his wife Lady Beatrix Sinclair James Stewart (+ 1443), Seventh Earl of Douglas, First Earl of Avondale, surnamed "the Gross" Beatrix Sinclair Daughter of Henry II Sinclair, Earl of Orkney - When William Douglas, 6th Earl of Douglas, the son of his nephew Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Douglas, was executed in 1440, James succeeded him as 7th Earl of Douglas.

Douglas developed around Douglas Castle, the ancestral seat of the black line of the influential Clan Douglas and the Earls of Douglas. They were friends to Robert the Bruce and one of the most powerful noble families in 1300s Scotland. This position brought them in conflict with the Stewart King James II and in 1455 they were overthrown. A church was mentioned on the site as early as the 12th century. The current St Bride's Church probably dates from the 14th century. Archibald ‘the Grim’, 3rd earl of Douglas, modified the church as a resting-place for his father, Sir James of Douglas, who died in 1330, and so the church became the mausoleum of the Black Douglases`. The effigy of Archibald Douglas (+ 1438), Fifth Earl of Douglas, Second Duke of Touraine, Marchal of France

St Illtyd's Church is a church complex on the site of the oldest college in the United Kingdom. Today it is generally believed to have been founded around 508 AD by St Illtud. The present church building was constructed by the Normans in the 11th century, with parts rebuilt in the 13th and 15th centuries. The college is said to have been attacked by the Danes in 987. In the 11th century, the area was conquered by the Norman nobleman Robert Fitzhamon. During the conquest, the wooden college and church were destroyed and the foundations transferred to the newly founded Tewkesbury Abbey, Fitzhamon's personal project. The Normans eventually rebuilt a parish church on the ruins of the old college around 1100, but the college greatly diminished in size and importance. In the 13th century, a low tower was added at the east end and a second chapel was built next to the first. The old west chapel continued to be used as a parish church, but the new east chapel was used by the monastic community. Around 1400, side aisles were added to the eastern monastery church and the roof and tower were raised to their current height. In the 16th century, during the dissolution of the monasteries, the monastic community was dissolved and the east chapel was taken over as a parish church. During the dissolution and the later Puritan period, the interior of the church fell into disrepair and many of the murals and statues were destroyed. The effigy of an Elizabethan Lady with her baby on her shoulder is believed to be Joan Hopkins. She died end of the 15th century probably probably in childbirth.

The "Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross and Mother of Him Who Hung Thereto" is the parish church of Crediton. Crediton having been chosen as the site for the Cathedral of Devon and Cornwall in the early 10th century. Today´s church was built on the site of the former Bishop´s cathedral. However, in 1050 the bishop's see was moved to Exeter and just a college of canons remained in Crediton. Construction began on a Norman church on the present site and a collegiate church was built there. The church was extended in the late 13th century with the addition of St Mary's Chapel and the chapter house. A medieval will stipulated that the Norman nave was to be demolished and rebuilt in the perpendicular Gothic style at the beginning of the 15th century. After the college was dissolved during the English Reformation, the Crediton Church Corporation bought the church, which was threatened with demolition, for the parish in 1547. The tomb of Sir John Sully (detail) While the average life expectancy may have been 35-40 in the 12th century, Sir John Sully reached the remarkale age of 105. He spent a great part of his life in the field, and that he was the "hero of a hundred battles." He was at the Battle of Halidon Hill in Scotland (1333). In 1338, he was in France, in the retinue of the Earl of Salisbury and was present at the Battle of Crécy in 1346. In 1350, he was at the Battle of Winchelsea under King Edward III, when a victory was gained over the Spanish fleet. Sully was in Gascony with the Black Prince in 1355 and 1356. In 1356, he shared in the honours of the Battle of Poitiers and letters of protection were granted to him in 1359. In 1361, he obtained the following singular grant from the King: "That he might once in every year during his life, in any of the royal forests, parks, or chases in the realm, have one shot with his bow, one course with his hounds, and one chase for his dog called Bercelette". The merits of Sir John Sully were about this time rewarded in the most striking manner. On the feast of St. George 1362 he was elected into the Order of the Garter, in the ninth stall on the Prince's side. Sully again accompanied the Black Prince to Gascony in 1365, and in 1367 was at the Battle of Nájera. Three years afterwards, in 1370, he again received letters of protection, being about to serve in Acquitaine and as he was then nearly ninety years old, it is not surprising that his name does not afterwards occur in public records until his appearance as a witness in a court case. Sully probably died in about 1388 as he is not mentioned in the records of the Order of the Garter after that year.

The "Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross and Mother of Him Who Hung Thereto" is the parish church of Crediton. Crediton having been chosen as the site for the Cathedral of Devon and Cornwall in the early 10th century. Today´s church was built on the site of the former Bishop´s cathedral. However, in 1050 the bishop's see was moved to Exeter and just a college of canons remained in Crediton. Construction began on a Norman church on the present site and a collegiate church was built there. The church was extended in the late 13th century with the addition of St Mary's Chapel and the chapter house. A medieval will stipulated that the Norman nave was to be demolished and rebuilt in the perpendicular Gothic style at the beginning of the 15th century. After the college was dissolved during the English Reformation, the Crediton Church Corporation bought the church, which was threatened with demolition, for the parish in 1547. The tomb of Sir John Sully and his wife Isobell While the average life expectancy may have been 35-40 in the 12th century, Sir John Sully reached the remarkale age of 105. He spent a great part of his life in the field, and that he was the "hero of a hundred battles." He was at the Battle of Halidon Hill in Scotland (1333). In 1338, he was in France, in the retinue of the Earl of Salisbury and was present at the Battle of Crécy in 1346. In 1350, he was at the Battle of Winchelsea under King Edward III, when a victory was gained over the Spanish fleet. Sully was in Gascony with the Black Prince in 1355 and 1356. In 1356, he shared in the honours of the Battle of Poitiers and letters of protection were granted to him in 1359. In 1361, he obtained the following singular grant from the King: "That he might once in every year during his life, in any of the royal forests, parks, or chases in the realm, have one shot with his bow, one course with his hounds, and one chase for his dog called Bercelette". The merits of Sir John Sully were about this time rewarded in the most striking manner. On the feast of St. George 1362 he was elected into the Order of the Garter, in the ninth stall on the Prince's side. Sully again accompanied the Black Prince to Gascony in 1365, and in 1367 was at the Battle of Nájera. Three years afterwards, in 1370, he again received letters of protection, being about to serve in Acquitaine and as he was then nearly ninety years old, it is not surprising that his name does not afterwards occur in public records until his appearance as a witness in a court case. Sully probably died in about 1388 as he is not mentioned in the records of the Order of the Garter after that year.

The large cruciform church is mostly early 14th century, but there are signs of earlier work. A fire in 1576 was the cause of much rebuilding, including the roofs. Though much altered, the east crossing arch suggests the core of the chancel is 13th century. The tower is largely rendered or tile-hung and most detail is 14th century or later, but a lancet at the north east angle may be a century older. The effigy of the Cowper family. Early 17th century, but rearranged in 1795 and now consisting of a male and a female recumbent figures. The couple looks frozen.

What is the "Mairie" of Mussy-sur-Seine today, once was part of the summer residence of the Bishops of Langres. The church "Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens" once belonged to a collegiate, that existed here. The church, here seen from east, was erected in early Gothic style within the 13th century is in a poor condition and urgently needs care and renovation. The doors of the church were locked, but thanks to the "Office de Tourisme" we got the keys and so could "explore" the building. The ceiling of the nave has started to crumble. Here is the tomb of Guillaume de Mussy and his wife. They were probably donors of collegiate, so they got great effigies. Seen over their heads are their souls already in the "Bosom of Abraham". As I just saw on a video, taken in January 2016, that the renovation is well underway. www.facebook.com/100010359314521/videos/186028935085749/

A cathedral and a bishopric existed in Rodez since the 6th century. When in 1276 the bell tower of the old cathedral collapsed, it was decided to erect a completely new one, as meanwhile the Gothic style had reached Southern France. The works on the cathedral were slowed down by the Hundred Years War and the outbreak of the bubonic plague (aka "Black Death"). So the cathedral was finally completed around 1530, after 250 years. A bishop - like sleeping on his tomb.

The abbey at Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire (originally known as Fleury Abbey) was founded on the banks of the Loire river mid 7th century. It is one of the oldest abbeys of the Benedictine rule in France. The story starts in 672, when some of its monks traveled to Montecassino (Italy), dug up the remains of St. Benedict of Nursia (+ 547) and his sister St. Scholastica and brought them home. After the relics had reached at Fleury Abbey it which was renamed Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire - and due to the relics became a major place of pilgrimage. Of course, this did not help when the Normans rowed up the Loire and burned the buildings of the monastery. But the convent recovered and rebuilt. A famous school and a scriptorium existed here in the late 10th century. The erection of the church started around 1071. When the church was consecrated in 1108, the long nave was not completed. The abbey thrived, but times got rougher. In 1562, the abbey was pillaged by Huguenots. The buildings were restored, but looted and destroyed again during the French Revolution. Saint-Benoît's monks left the abbey and so the history of the convent ended after more than 1100 years. The abbey church had escaped destruction and got restored in the 19th century. In 1944, the convent was refounded the abbey buildings were rebuilt by Benedictine monks after World War II. So the history of the convent was just interrupted for about 150 years. The choir got consecrated in 1108, it may well me, that the ambulatory and the four chapels were not finished then. But as Philip I of France (aka "the Amorous") died in July 1108 and as he had chosen this church as his burial place, there was a bit of a time pressure. This is the tomb of Philip I. The effigy depicts the crowned kings sleeping. The crown is created from fleurs-de-lis. In 1072 Philip had married Bertha of Holland (aka "Bertha of Frisia"). The couple had three children, one of them was Philip´s successor Louis VI (aka "Louis the Fat"). But amorous Philip fell in love with Bertrade de Montfort, who was not only 15 years younger than Bertha, but also the wife of Fulk IV, Count of Anjou. He repudiated Bertha (claiming she was too fat) and married Bertrade in 1092. As both partners were married already, Philip was excommunicated by Pope Urban II. Several times the ban was lifted as Philip promised to part with Bertrade, but he always returned to her. A love story?! Note the floor tiles. These are Roman tiles from the 4th/5th century, that got reused here, when the choir was erected. This tomb of course attracted many noble visitors. In 1130 Pope Innocent II visited the Abbey Fleury, accompanied by Louis VI and Bernard of Clairvaux, the strongest supporter of Innocent. In 1429 Charles VII (aka "le Victorieux", "le Bien-Servi") and Joan of Arc have been here.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. In the center of the nave, near the choir, are the tombs. The recumbent effigies from the early 13th century still have some of the original colours. Richard I of England (1157 – 1199) (aka "Richard Lionheart", "Richard Coeur de Lion", "Richard Loewenherz", "Richard Plantagenêt") son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Poitiers, Count of Anjou, King of England. Eldest son of Henry II of England. He commanded an "own" armee against his father at the age of 16. He was King of England since 1189. During the 3rd Crusade, he was one of the commanders, leading the campaign after the departure of Philip II of France. Prisoner of Leopold V, Duke of Austria, and Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor, between Dec. 1102 and Feb. 1104. England paid a ransom of 65.000 pounds of silver. Taxes rose, what caused local uproars in England. He died, after being wounded by a crossbow bolt during the siege of Chalus (Haute-Vienne), in the arms of his mother.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. In the center of the nave, near the choir, are the tombs. The recumbent effigies from the early 13th century still have some of the original colours. Here are the tombs of Richard I of England (1157 – 1199) (aka "Richard Lionheart", "Richard Coeur de Lion", "Richard Loewenherz", "Richard Plantagenêt") son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Poitiers, Count of Anjou, King of England. Isabella of Angoulême (1188 – 1246) (aka "Isabelle d'Angoulême") spouse of Henry II of England´s and Eleanor of Aquitaine´s son John, King of England (aka "John Lackland", "Jean sans Terre"), Queen consort of England, spouse of Hugh X of Lusignan, Countess of Angoulême. Richard was son of Eleanor and King Henry II (previous uploads), Isabella was their daughter in law. Richard´s effigy is carved from stone, Isabella´s from wood. Nobody knows why. I was very surprised of Richard´s shoe size. Maybe the marches to Jerusalem and back (3rd crusade) caused that. The way back home took very long, Leopold V, Duke of Austria and later Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor, kept him prisoner between Dec. 1102 and Feb. 1104. 65,000 pounds of silver were delivered to Austria as ransom. Rumours say, that the more than 300 million "Maria Theresa Thalers", silver coins minted by the Austrians between 1751 and 2000 all contained at least some "English silver".

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. In the center of the nave, near the choir, are the tombs. The recumbent effigies from the early 13th century still have some of the original colours. Here are the tombs of Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122 – 1204) (aka "Aliénor d'Aquitaine") Duchess of Aquitaine, Spouse of King Louis VII of France (two children), Queen consort of France, Spouse of King Henry II of England (eight children), Queen consort of England. Henry II of England (1133 – 1189) (aka "Curtmantle", Court-manteau", "FitzEmpress", "Henry Plantagenet") Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Count of Nantes, King of England.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. In the center of the nave, near the choir, are the tombs. The recumbent effigies from the early 13th century still have some of the original colours. Here are the tombs of Henry II of England (1133 – 1189) (aka "Curtmantle", Court-manteau", "FitzEmpress", "Henry Plantagenet") Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Count of Nantes, King of England. Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122 – 1204) (aka "Aliénor d'Aquitaine") Duchess of Aquitaine, Spouse of King Louis VII of France (two children), Queen consort of France, Spouse of King Henry II of England (eight children), Queen consort of England. While Henry II holds a scepter, Eleanor seems reading a book. She died at the age of 82, but here she looks much younger. Somebody placed a rose on her effigy.

Fontevraud Abbey, founded in 1101 by itinerant reforming preacher Robert d'Arbrissel followed his concept of the "ideal city". It was a "double monastery", that was always led by a woman. From the very beginning the convent had a strong support from the aristocracy, above all from the House of Plantagenet. The list of the abbesses is like a "who is who" of the medieval nobility. Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful ladies of medieval times, joined the convent, when she retired from the political power game in 1200. She died here in 1204. This church was the chosen burial place for the House of Plantagenet. In the center of the nave, near the choir, are four tombs. The recumbent effigies from the early 13th century still have some of the original colours. Here are the tombs of Henry II of England (1133 – 1189) (aka "Curtmantle", Court-manteau", "FitzEmpress", "Henry Plantagenet") Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Count of Nantes, King of England. Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122 – 1204) (aka "Aliénor d'Aquitaine") Duchess of Aquitaine, Spouse of King Louis VII of France (two children), Queen consort of France, Spouse of King Henry II of England (eight children), Queen consort of England. Richard I of England (1157 – 1199) (aka "Richard Lionheart", "Richard Coeur de Lion", "Richard Loewenherz", "Richard Plantagenêt") son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Poitiers, Count of Anjou, King of England. Isabella of Angoulême (1188 – 1246) (aka "Isabelle d'Angoulême") spouse of Henry II of England´s and Eleanor of Aquitaine´s son John, King of England (aka "John Lackland", "Jean sans Terre"), Queen consort of England, spouse of Hugh X of Lusignan, Countess of Angoulême.

Charles VII of France known in French as "le Bien-Servi", what is "the Well-Served", must have been indeed well served, as in 1449 he gave the village and the forest of Oiron to Guillaume Gouffier, who was his "valet de chambre". From then on the Gouffier family played an interesting role in the following centuries. Guillaume Gouffier had a château built here, but it was his son Artus, a "grand maître de France", diplomat for Francis I, who, impressed by the Italian Renaissance, updated it to the "new style". His wife Helene de Hengest was responsible for the construction of the collegiate church Saint-Maurice. The large collegiate church served as the burial place for the Gouffier family. This is the tomb of Artus Gouffier, According to Wikipedia he was "Duke of Roannez and pair de France, count of Étampes, count of Caravaggio, baron of Passavant, of Maulévrier, of Roanne, of la Mothe-Saint-Romain, of Bourg-Charente and of Saint-Loup, Lord of Oiron, of Villedieu-sur-Indre, of Valence and of Cazamajor." Very impressive! His tomb got vandalized during the French Revolution. While the heads of the small mourning persons got chipped off, the large, white marble effigy is comparably intact. In the background are the choir stalls, where the monks had to pray for the salvation of their noble patrons. The motto of the Gouffier family, carved into the facade of the church, was "Hic Terminus Haeret" (here is the end), what fits perfectly to a burial place.