Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: 100 Year´s War

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished. Some decades later, the rebuilding started, but only this walls of the aisle and an ambulatory chapel still exist of the early structure.

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished, only the southern wall still is Romanesque. So for some decades this church was a quarry and probably unattended. No wonder that some walls outside are covered with old graffiti.

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished, only the southern wall still is Romanesque. Some decades later, the rebuilding and reconstruction process started. Fortunately many of the marvellous carvings were saved and got reused. The gate at the the wooden stairs, leading to the gallery, was not locked. Though the stairs seemed pretty fragile for my weight, I climbed up. It was well worth the effort. Nobody was up there, just me and a dead pigeon. Most of the capitals were visible from here. There are some very elaborate works of art up on the capitals. Here is the psychostasia, the "Weighing of souls", seen on the previous upload, but, now more detailled. Within the 12th/13th century Saint-Eutrope was the most important church in the area, so the style seen here and the icons will have been very influential. The devil here is dotted with pimples, just like the devil seen on the psychostasia capital in Saujon (30kms west).

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished, only the southern wall still is Romanesque. Some decades later, the rebuilding and reconstruction process started. Fortunately many of the marvellous carvings were saved and got reused. The gate at the the wooden stairs, leading to the gallery, was not locked. Though the stairs seemed pretty fragile for my weight, I climbed up. It was well worth the effort. Nobody was up there, just me and a dead pigeon. Most of the capitals were visible from here. There are some very elaborate works of art up on the capitals. From right to left: A fight between lions and birds, an icon often seen all over the Saintonge. A lion, hidden in the vines, creeping up on a human (hard to see, only the face can be seen at the corner). A psychostasia, the "Weighing of souls". Within the 12th/13th century Saint-Eutrope was the most important church in the area, so the style seen here and the icons will have been very influential. No wonder that there are three psychostasiae within only 30 kms.

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished, only the southern wall still is Romanesque. Some decades later, the rebuilding and reconstruction process started. Fortunately many of the marvellous carvings were saved and got reused. The gate at the the wooden stairs, leading to the gallery, was not locked. Though the stairs seemed pretty fragile for my weight, I climbed up. It was well worth the effort. Nobody was up there, just me and a dead pigeon. Most of the capitals were visible from here. There are some very sophisticated and elaborate works of art up on the capitals. This is a more detailled photo of "Daniel in the Den of Lions", just seen.

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished, only the southern wall still is Romanesque. Some decades later, the rebuilding and reconstruction process started. Fortunately many of the marvellous carvings were saved and got reused. The gate at the the wooden stairs, leading to the gallery, was not locked. Though the stairs seemed pretty fragile for my weight, I climbed up. It was well worth the effort. Nobody was up there, just me and a dead pigeon. Most of the capitals were visible from here. There are some very sophisticated and elaborate works of art up on the capitals. Here is Daniel in the Den of Lions.

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished, only the southern wall still is Romanesque. Some decades later, the rebuilding and reconstruction process started. Fortunately many of the marvellous carvings were saved and got reused. The gate at the the wooden stairs, leading to the gallery, was not locked. Though the stairs seemed pretty fragile for my weight, I climbed up. It was well worth the effort. Nobody was up there, just me and a dead pigeon. Most of the capitals were visible from here. There are some very sophisticated and elaborate works of art up on the capitals. Here is one. A symmetrical pattern out of men - lions - birds. It goes on and on and on, typical for the "style saintongeais".

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished, only the southern wall still is Romanesque. Some decades later, the rebuilding and reconstruction process started. Fortunately many of the marvellous carvings were saved and got reused. The gate at the the wooden stairs, leading to the gallery, was not locked. Though the stairs seemed pretty fragile for my weight, I climbed up. It was well worth the effort. Nobody was up there, just me and a dead pigeon. Most of the capitals were visible from here. There are some very sophisticated and elaborate works of art up on the capitals. This is a more detailed photo of the capital, just seen before.

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished, only the southern wall still is Romanesque. Some decades later, the rebuilding and reconstruction process started. Fortunately many of the marvellous carvings were saved and got reused. Not all carvings here have the same "quality". Some are really sophisticated and elaborate, some are pretty simple, the mermaids seen here, probably relatives to the maids seen before, are a little bit clumsy.

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished, only the southern wall still is Romanesque. Some decades later, the rebuilding and reconstruction process started. Fortunately many of the marvellous carvings were saved and got reused. Not all carvings here have the same "quality". Some are really sophisticated and elaborate, some are pretty simple. This is a more simple one, depicting two mermaids.It is the same capital seen before, but now seen from a different pov. The mermaid does not seem to be very amused up there.

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished, only the southern wall still is Romanesque. Some decades later, the rebuilding and reconstruction process started. Fortunately many of the marvellous carvings were saved and got reused. After a while I found, that the gate at the the wooden stair. leading to the gallery, was not locked. Though the stairs seemed pretty fragile for my weight, I climbed up. It was well worth the effort. Nobody was up there, just me and a dead pigeon. Most of the capitals were visible from here. Not all carvings here have the same "quality". Some are really sophisticated and elaborate, some are pretty simple. This is a more simple one, depicting two mermaids with nice braids. I will upload more mermaids next, as there is a whole swarm of them here.

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished, only the southern wall still is Romanesque. Some decades later, the rebuilding and reconstruction process started. Fortunately many of the marvellous carvings were saved and got reused. After a while I found, that the gate at the the wooden stair. leading to the gallery, was not locked. Though the stairs seemed pretty fragile for my weight, I climbed up. It was well worth the effort. Nobody was up there, just me and a dead pigeon. Most of the capitals were visible from here.

Little is known about St. Eutropius and nothing of this is certain. He may have been native Persian, a companion of the Three Marys, when they went ashore in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or a native Greek, send to the Saintonge area by Pope Clement I, some centuries later. After having baptized Eustelle, the daughter of the local governor, he got martyred. Legends tell, that Eustelle got beheaded and so joined St. Eutropius in death. Gregor of Tour knows about pilgrimages to the tomb of St. Eutropius already within the 6th century. When later the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular and thousands of pilgrims walked the Via Turonensis each year, this place was a major halt on the "chemin". A larger church was needed. Cluny, a strong "sponsor" of the pilgrimage to Santiago, took over the small community of monks, that existed here since centuries, and sent 20 expert monks. They accepted the challenge. They started to built the large ambulatory crypt seen here in 1081. The dimensions of the crypt (35 meters long) make clear, what large numbers of pilgrims were expected. The monks did a great job, as already 15 years later Pope Urban II consecrated this crypt. The basilica-church got completed within the 12th century, but due to the tensions between England and France, Saintes lost its importance for the pilgrims. From 1271 on, the area west of the Charente (incl. St. Eutrope) was English, while the eastern side of Saintes (incl. the Abbaye aux Dames) was French. 1360 Saintes was English, 1404 it was French again. The church had been altered over the centuries. After the French Revolution a large part of the church got demolished, only the southern wall still is Romanesque. Some decades later, the rebuilding and reconstruction process started. Fortunately many of the marvellous carvings were saved and got reused.

The Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames was the first Benedictine abbey for women Charente-Maritime. It was founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II (aka "Geoffrey Martel") and his first wife Agnes of Burgundy. Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of Richard Lionheart, was a great donor here. The place, where the abbey got erected, was a Roman cemetery. An Oratorium, over the tomb of Saint Pallais, existed here already in the 6th century. Saintes was a major halt for the pilgrims following the Via Turonensis, so the abbey developed well, during the first centuries. During the 100 Year´s War the abbey got ruined, reconstructed later, it got severely damaged by Huguenots during the Wars of Religions. The abbey existed up to the end of the 18th century. After the French Revolution the buldings served as prison and from 1808 on as a barracks. The church was used as a stable for the horses of the cavalry. The barracks were here up to the early 1920s, before the first renovations were started. In 1938 the abbey church "Sainte-Marie" got consecrated again. Most capitals of the portal are covered with entwisted vines forming a dense, dangerous jungle, populated by evil creatures and monsters. In a corner this mermaid, inviting the souls to enter the jungle.

The Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames was the first Benedictine abbey for women Charente-Maritime. It was founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II (aka "Geoffrey Martel") and his first wife Agnes of Burgundy. Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of Richard Lionheart, was a great donor here. The place, where the abbey got erected, was a Roman cemetery. An Oratorium, over the tomb of Saint Pallais, existed here already in the 6th century. Saintes was a major halt for the pilgrims following the Via Turonensis, so the abbey developed well, during the first centuries. During the 100 Year´s War the abbey got ruined, reconstructed later, it got severely damaged by Huguenots during the Wars of Religions. The abbey existed up to the end of the 18th century. After the French Revolution the buldings served as prison and from 1808 on as a barracks. The church was used as a stable for the horses of the cavalry. The barracks were here up to the early 1920s, before the first renovations were started. In 1938 the abbey church "Sainte-Marie" got consecrated again. Most capitals of the portal are covered with entwisted vines forming a dense, dangerous jungle. This jungle is populated by evil creatures, who are part of it, as the vines grow out of their mouths. Some humans (souls) are trapped - and the monsters have started to torture and devour them.

The Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames was the first Benedictine abbey for women Charente-Maritime. It was founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II (aka "Geoffrey Martel") and his first wife Agnes of Burgundy. Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of Richard Lionheart, was a great donor here. The place, where the abbey got erected, was a Roman cemetery. An Oratorium, over the tomb of Saint Pallais, existed here already in the 6th century. Saintes was a major halt for the pilgrims following the Via Turonensis, so the abbey developed well, during the first centuries. During the 100 Year´s War the abbey got ruined, reconstructed later, it got severely damaged by Huguenots during the Wars of Religions. The abbey existed up to the end of the 18th century. After the French Revolution the buldings served as prison and from 1808 on as a barracks. The church was used as a stable for the horses of the cavalry. The barracks were here up to the early 1920s, before the first renovations were started. In 1938 the abbey church "Sainte-Marie" got consecrated again. Most capitals of the portal are covered with entwisted vines forming a dense, dangerous jungle. This jungle is populated by evil creatures, who are part of it, as the vines grow out of their mouths. Some humans (souls) are trapped - and the monsters have started to torture and devour them.

The Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames was the first Benedictine abbey for women Charente-Maritime. It was founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II (aka "Geoffrey Martel") and his first wife Agnes of Burgundy. Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of Richard Lionheart, was a great donor here. The place, where the abbey got erected, was a Roman cemetery. An Oratorium, over the tomb of Saint Pallais, existed here already in the 6th century. Saintes was a major halt for the pilgrims following the Via Turonensis, so the abbey developed well, during the first centuries. During the 100 Year´s War the abbey got ruined, reconstructed later, it got severely damaged by Huguenots during the Wars of Religions. The abbey existed up to the end of the 18th century. After the French Revolution the buldings served as prison and from 1808 on as a barracks. The church was used as a stable for the horses of the cavalry. The barracks were here up to the early 1920s, before the first renovations were started. In 1938 the abbey church "Sainte-Marie" got consecrated again. The 5th archivolt depicts cruel scenes, reminding me on "Killing Fields". About 50 people populate the archivolt. There are fully dressed, armed soldiers (?), who slaughter smaller, naked persons with swords. Inbetween are some women, maybe mothers. It is widely believed that this archivolt depicts the "Massacre of the Innocents". Here a more detailed photo. The soldier to the right uses a battleaxe. This surprised me, as "Martel" the "nom de guerre" of the quarrelsome founder Geoffrey II means "hammer" or "axe".

The Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames was the first Benedictine abbey for women Charente-Maritime. It was founded in 1047 by Geoffrey II (aka "Geoffrey Martel") and his first wife Agnes of Burgundy. Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of Richard Lionheart, was a great donor here. The place, where the abbey got erected, was a Roman cemetery. An Oratorium, over the tomb of Saint Pallais, existed here already in the 6th century. Saintes was a major halt for the pilgrims following the Via Turonensis, so the abbey developed well, during the first centuries. During the 100 Year´s War the abbey got ruined, reconstructed later, it got severely damaged by Huguenots during the Wars of Religions. The abbey existed up to the end of the 18th century. After the French Revolution the buldings served as prison and from 1808 on as a barracks. The church was used as a stable for the horses of the cavalry. The barracks were here up to the early 1920s, before the first renovations were started. In 1938 the abbey church "Sainte-Marie" got consecrated again. The 5th archivolt depicts cruel scenes, reminding me on "Killing Fields". About 50 people populate the archivolt. There are fully dressed, armed soldiers (?), who slaughter (little) smaller, naked persons with swords. Inbetween are some women, maybe mothers. It is widely believed that this archivolt depicts the "Massacre of the Innocents". Here a more detailed photo. The soldier to the left uses a club.