Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: wolf

The origins of St David's Cathedral date back to the 6th century, when St David (ca. 512-587) founded his monastery here. The community was attacked many times by Vikings and many clerics and bishops were murdered by the raiders. In 1081, William the Conqueror visited St Davids to pray, and thus recognised it as a holy and respected place. At Bishop Bernard's successful urging, Pope Callistus II added St David's to the calendar of saints in 1120 and issued a decree in 1123 that "two pilgrimages to St David's are equal to one to Rome and three pilgrimages to one to Jerusalem". Therefore, a larger cathedral was built by 1131. In 1171 King Henry II visited St David's. Construction of the current cathedral began in 1181 and was completed shortly afterwards. However, in 1220 the new tower collapsed and in 1248 an earthquake destroyed much of the chancel, choir and transept, so these parts were rebuilt. Reconstruction followed the 13th-century style with pointed arches. The next major phase of construction was started under Bishop Henry de Gower (1328–1347). He gave the cathedral's exterior a Gothic style. The cathedral was finally completed around 1520. From the 14th century onwards, the ensemble was completely surrounded by a massive wall, which originally had four gates. Of these, only the tower gate has survived, which is connected to the 13th century bell tower and opens the way from the cathedral to the city centre of St. David's. The Reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries under the Tudor King Henry VIII in 1536 was a shock. The English Civil War also left significant damage to the building fabric caused by Oliver Cromwell's troops. The valuable lead covering was removed from the roof of the bishop's palace, leaving the building to decay. The roof of the transept of the cathedral was also uncovered in order to access the lead. It was not until the late 18th century that efforts were made to preserve at least parts of the cathedral complex. After the first attempt to restore the west front failed the whole building was restored between 1862 and 1870. The choir stalls were built in the late 15th to early 16th centuries. They feature misericords, which have a ledge on which choir members could rest inconspicuously while remaining standing, as was required during the long sung services in the Middle Ages. A family of boars attacking a wolf Friendly Mother Goose welcoming a stranger

After the conquest of Britain under Emperor Claudius, the Romans founded the city of "Isca Dumnoniorum" on the site where a Celtic settlement already existed. Numerous sections of the Roman city wall have survived to this day. In the 7th century, the city fell to Wessex. An Anglo-Saxon monastery was built here around 680. In 876, the Danes attacked Exeter and occupied it briefly, but Alfred the Great was able to drive them out a year later and had the Roman city wall repaired. In 893, Alfred was able to hold the city against a Danish attack for a second time. In 1001, the Danes again failed to take control of Exeter. However, after the town came into the possession of Emma of Normandy in 1002 through her marriage to Æthelred the Unready as part of her dowry, Emma's steward allowed the Danes under Sven Forkbeard to enter Exeter and sack the city the following year. In 1050 the seat of the bishopric, formed in 1032 from the bishoprics of Cornwall and Crediton, was transferred to Exeter and Leofric became the first bishop of the bishopric of Exeter. In 1068 the town was besieged by Norman troops of William the Conqueror, to whom it had refused to swear allegiance, and surrendered after 18 days. The Norman ruler had the fortress of Rougemont built here. However, the Bishop of Exeter also acted as a landowner and feudal lord, as mentioned in the Domesday Book. In the early stages of the civil war that broke out after the death of Henry I, Baldwin de Redvers held Exeter for three months in 1136 against King Stephen, but then surrendered. Henry II granted Exeter its first charter. In the 13th century, Exeter developed into the most important city in the southwest of England. It exported tin and cloth, among other things. From 1295 onwards, it sent representatives to the English Parliament. Exeter had to survive several more sieges, for example in 1467 during the Wars of the Roses, in 1497 by the pretender to the throne Perkin Warbeck and in 1549 by insurgents from Cornwall and Devon who rebelled against the religious reforms of Edward VI, while Exeter remained loyal to the king. During the English Civil War (1642-1649), Exeter was initially on the side of the supporters of Parliament, but was conquered by the Royalists in 1643 and held for King Charles I for almost three years. Construction of the cathedral began in 1112 in the Norman/Romanesque style. The outer walls of the nave and the two colossal square towers, which now serve as the transept, are still preserved from this building. The architect of the Romanesque predecessor had resorted to this unusual solution because the crossing towers, which had previously been built according to English tradition, had collapsed. The new Gothic building began in 1224. The Lady Chapel, a single-nave building with three bays, marked the beginning. Around 1280/90, the retrochoir and the nave followed in the dimensions of the Romanesque church. At about the same time (1270/1280), the chapter house was added to the south transept. The choir stalls were made in the 1870s by Sir Gilbert Scott. More than 40 medieval misericords from the mid 13th century were integrated. A whale and a wolf

The Slavs built Jerichow Castle (the name is of Slavic origin - "castle of the brave" - so not biblical) to defend their western border. Jerichow was first mentioned at the end of 1144 when Premonstratensian canons founded the Jerichow Monastery. In 1148 the canons relocated the site because of the disturbing market activity. The monastery was founded in 1144 as a Premonstratensian monastery. The first Premonstratensian canons came from Magdeburg. In 1149 the construction of the collegiate church was started. In 1172 the church and the east wing were completed. Then, between 1180 and 1200, the construction of a crypt took place. In addition, the church was extended by the side choirs and the construction of the winter refectory and the office building followed. The summer refectory and the cloister were built between 1220 and 1230. Around the year 1250, the construction of the monastery buildings was finally completed. After the Reformation, Jerichow Monastery was dissolved in the 16th century. The last canons had to leave the monastery. During the Thirty Years' War, the Premonstratensians returned. In 1631 imperial and Swedish troops devastated the monastery building. In 1680 Jerichow finally became under Brandenburg rule. On the orders of Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg, the collegiate church was restored in 1685 and used as a new Reformed church for the Huguenot refugees. Between 1853 and 1856, the monastery and its church were restored at the request of King Frederick William IV of Prussia, but around 1870 it was used as a brewery and distillery. At the end of WWII, the western facade of the church was damaged. After the war there was a fire in the roof truss. Between 1955 and 1960, in GDR times, the monastery church was repaired and the Romanesque interior was restored. The damage to the other buildings was severe. In 1998, the entire monastery complex had to be closed by the building authorities due to structural damage. Thus, in 1998, the entire complex had to be placed under the protection of the building supervisory authority and closed as unsafe and unfit for use. Further repair and restoration work in 1999 lifted the order, but it continued for several years. The collegiate church is a five-bay, flat-roofed basilica. According to a document from 1172, it was essentially completed by this time. Despite the early construction time for Central Germany, the building already has a perfect brick construction technique. It is assumed that this technique was imparted by professionals from northern Italy, who continued to work on smaller church buildings after the completion of the collegiate church. The architecture of this church had a strong influence on the surrounding village churches, in which the building program was adopted in a reduced form.

The Slavs built Jerichow Castle (the name is of Slavic origin - "castle of the brave" - so not biblical) to defend their western border. Jerichow was first mentioned at the end of 1144 when Premonstratensian canons founded the Jerichow Monastery. In 1148 the canons relocated the site because of the disturbing market activity. The monastery was founded in 1144 as a Premonstratensian monastery. The first Premonstratensian canons came from Magdeburg. In 1149 the construction of the collegiate church was started. In 1172 the church and the east wing were completed. Then, between 1180 and 1200, the construction of a crypt took place. In addition, the church was extended by the side choirs and the construction of the winter refectory and the office building followed. The summer refectory and the cloister were built between 1220 and 1230. Around the year 1250, the construction of the monastery buildings was finally completed. The two prominent towers were built in front of the church only in 1256-1262. Accordingly, they show predominantly Gothic forms. After the Reformation, Jerichow Monastery was dissolved in the 16th century. The last canons had to leave the monastery. During the Thirty Years' War, the Premonstratensians returned. In 1631 imperial and Swedish troops devastated the monastery building. In 1680 Jerichow finally became under Brandenburg rule. On the orders of Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg, the collegiate church was restored in 1685 and used as a new Reformed church for the Huguenot refugees. Between 1853 and 1856, the monastery and its church were restored at the request of King Frederick William IV of Prussia, but around 1870 it was used as a brewery and distillery. At the end of WWII, the western facade of the church was damaged. After the war there was a fire in the roof truss. Between 1955 and 1960, in GDR times, the monastery church was repaired and the Romanesque interior was restored. The damage to the other buildings was severe. In 1998, the entire monastery complex had to be closed by the building authorities due to structural damage. Thus, in 1998, the entire complex had to be placed under the protection of the building supervisory authority and closed as unsafe and unfit for use. Further repair and restoration work in 1999 lifted the order, but it continued for several years. The collegiate church is a five-bay, flat-roofed basilica. According to a document from 1172, it was essentially completed by this time. Despite the early construction time for Central Germany, the building already has a perfect brick construction technique. It is assumed that this technique was imparted by professionals from northern Italy, who continued to work on smaller church buildings after the completion of the collegiate church. The architecture of this church had a strong influence on the surrounding village churches, in which the building program was adopted in a reduced form. This pillar was part of the "Chorherren Portal" (portal of the Canons). Through this portal the canons entered the church. A very interesting scene, known from a fable called "Wolf's Predigt" (wolf's sermon). A wolf disguised as a monk preaches to two geese. Mathew 7.15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves."

Richardis, wife of Charles III (aka "Charles the Fat") and so "Holy Roman Empress", founded the abbey in Andlau ca 880. Later she lived here (as the abbess). She was known for her piety and so she was canonised, when Pope Leo IX paid a visit to the abbey in 1049. Another frame of the frieze in Andlau. A man - a tree - a dog - a wolf with a bird. A wolf has caught a bird (chicken?), and now the owner of the bird points to the wolf and has send his dog to pursue the thief. All "objects" differ remarkable in seize. The wolf, holding the bird in his mouth, seems gigantic compared to the dog - and the man, who is a farmer, holding a kind of spade. It could well be, that the carver tried to create a kind "perspectively deepness" in this frame. The wolf in the very foreground is bigger, than the dog in the middle. The wolf is nearer to the point of view and so looks bigger. The back part this dog is before a tree. The tree is behind the dog. If the tree stands for forest, then the wolf is out of the forest, the dog is just leaving it and the man is still has to cross the forest. If this would be a film, within the next second, the wolf would have jumped out of the frame, then the dog would reach the edge (and would seem bigger) - and then the man would arrive as well a little later, gasping for air.. This could maybe explain, why the carver created such a gigantic wolf - but it is only a theory. Nothing is written in stone.

The Romanesque parish church got fortified in unsure times. The modest single nave structure has nice carvings inside and outside. The portal is typical for the "style saintonge". On the left side of the portal is a wolf´s head. When the schurch was erected in the 12th century, wolves were probably pretty common in the forests around.

The monastery "Abbatia ad Lacum" was founded in 1093 on the shores of a lake (lacum). It was a priory of Affligem Abbey (Belgium) first, but since 1138 was an independent Benedictian abbey. The erection of the monastery, following the "Sankt Galler Klosterplan" ("Plan of Saint Gall") started, when the first monks settled here. To complete the church took more than 200 years. Even after the consecration, many parts were added or altered. The abbey was an intellectual hub in the 12th/13th century, but like many other convents declined later. It joined the Bursfelde Congregation, a reform movement originating from the Bursfelde Abbey in the valley of the Weser river. The monastery existed upto the secularisation. The buildings and all the abbey´s possessions became property of the French state. The inventary was auctioned. After the Congress of Vienna the ownership of the empty buildings went to the Prussian State, who sold it. Within the 1860s it was acquired by the "Society of Jesus". The "Kulturkampf", a row between the Prussian government and the Roman Catholic administration, ended that episode and in 1992 the Benedictines returned. They could do with the support of Wilhelm II, as the church itself was still owned by the Prussian state. Since then many restaurations and renovations have taken place, to "purify" the buildings - and "recreate" the Romanesque style. A detail from the left side of the narthex facade. Foliage, densely populated by mythical creatures. Two wrestlers to the right. Their upper bodies are human, but they seem to stick in winged siren-bodies. The scene in the center reminds on a "wolf-school", as seen in Freiburg and Saint Ursanne, where the teachers are monks. Here the teacher (in case this is a teacher) seems to be a hairy woodwose or a devil. I could not read the words, he wrote (PEC??? and GAGA??). The animal (wolf?) next to him has turned his head already to the billy goat, that is (not to be seen from this pov) attacked from another wolf from behind. This is left to the portal. The same position on the right side differs notably. See the following upload. According to information from the local museum, the stones used for these carvings by an anonymous master, named "Samsonmeister" by art historians, are "coralline limestones", brought to this secluded place from France.

Augustodunum (today Autun) was founded during the reign of Augustus, after whom it was named. It was an important settlement, the Roman theather, partly unearthed, could seat about 15.000 people, there is a Roman temple, walls... But it is the Cathédrale Saint-Lazare and the wonderful carvings, that made me return again and again. There had been a church here earlier, that was just too small, when Autun became a center of pilgrimage, after relics of St. Lazarus were kept here since about 970. Just like Vezelay, 90kms north, where the relics of St. Lazarus´ sister St. Maria Magdalena were kept at that time. In 1120 it was decided to construct this larger and more suitable cathedral. At that time this construction was influenced by Cluny III, that was a little older. After severe damage during the Hundred Years' War, rebuilding and remodeling the romanesque structure started. The tympanum, a masterpiece, signed by Gislebertus, survived accidently pretty undamaged, as it was hidden under thick plaster for many decades. Many other carvings, carved by Gislebertus (or his workshop) are in and outside the cathedral. Aesop´s fable "The Wolf and the Crane" A wolf, having a bone stuck in his throat, hired a crane to put her head into his throat and draw out the bone. When the crane had extracted the bone, and demanded the promised payment, the wolf exclaimed: "Why, you have surely already a sufficient recompense, in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf." This capital is on the very right side of the portal. It corresponds to the very left one. See PiP (right corner).

The construction of the Cattedrale di San Giorgio began in the early 12th century, when the city was taken by Matilda of Tuscany (aka "Matilde di Canossa"). When the new cathedral was consecrated in 1135 it was not completed at all. It was - and still is - located in the center of the city. The lower part of the facade is Romanesque was probably built in the first half of the 11th century. The building process was continued a century later in Gothic style. A "renovation" of the Ferrara Cathedral done in the early 18th century resulted in a demolition. Only the facade and the outer walls survived. The the medieval interior and the apses, that once existed are lost. The portal is attributed to Master Niccolò (aka "Nicholaus"), who (or his workshop) worked as well in Verona (San Zeno) and Piacenza (Cathedral). Some more details of the Romanesque facade. To the left is a wolf, dressed as a monk, holding a book. The wolf may be an alumnus of the wolf-schools, that occasionally could be found in medieval times (eg. in Saint-Ursanne and Freiburg). One of his collegues lives in Verona. To the right a headless man holding a dog. Mythical headless men were rumored, in antiquity and later, to inhabit very remote parts of the world. They are known as akephaloi or Blemmyes.

The Pieve di San Pietro a Gropina is located on a hill in the hamlet Gropina, that meanwhile belongs to Loro Ciuffenna. A chapel existed here already in the 4th century. Soon after Charlemagne had donated the area to the Nonantola Abbey, Benedictian monks erected a church here end of the 8th century. The church of today was probably built within the 12th century. At that time this was one of the wealthiest parish church with the diocese, having about 30 depending churches. The nave is flanked by pillars, that all have sculpted capitals. The capitals of left and right side differ in style. Within some decades two workshops have worked here. Maybe even more. The remarkable pulpit is based on a knotted pillar, is a striking piece of art. Some scholars attribute it to a "Master of Campione" (or a workshop). This workshop created as well some of the capitals. The wolf to the right is holding (devouring) something, that may well be the shank of a lamb. This is surely connected to the (from this pov not visible) left side of the capital, as there is a a wolf chasing a lamb. The principal side depicts a sow suckling four piglets. I have never such an icon inside a church. Is it an (heathenly) icon for fertility? Some see this as a symbol of "Mother" church nourishing the pious believers.

There are two products, this small town, near Riom is pretty famous for. There are the black stones from Volvic, used all over the Auvergne. The gothic cathedral in Clermont-Ferrand is built from the black stones, coming from Volvic. The younger product is the "Volvic" mineral water. Zillions of plastic bottles, filled with Volvic-water leave this place every week or month. Long time before Danone (Evian, Badoit, La Salvetat....) entered the stage in Volvic, this place was owned by St. Priest (aka Priest de Clermont, aka Saint Praejectus), bishop of Clermont. St. Priest was stabbed to death here in 676 and immediately was venerated as a martyr. His sucessor Avitor founded an abbey here, that later was depending from Mozac (1169). The capitals in St. Priest do not have the wonderful, sleek elegance of the carvings seen in the former abbey church in Mozac (5kms east) or Notre-Dame-Du-Port in Clermont-Ferrand (15kms south), but they use the same "icons", that are so typical all over the Auvergne: sirens, griffons, eagles.. Another of these familar sights: The shepherds. Probably referring to the "Parable of the Lost Sheep" (Matthew, 18:12-14 / Luke 18:12-14). This shepherd-theme ("Pastor Bonus") can be found all over the Auvergne (Issoire, Biozat, Thuret..). Here are two shepherds, on their knees. The sheep they have on their shoulders are pretty large - and have strange faces. On the very left the head of the demon/wolf can be seen, showing a row of scaring shark-like teeth.

The first cathedral here was consecrated by St. Zeno around 380 AD. This was replaced by a larger building already two centuries later. An earthquake and/or fire destroyed that structure. The basilica that got rebuilt was destroyed by the earthquake in 1117, that wrecked so many buildings in Veneto and Lombardy. The present "Cattedrale Santa Maria Matricolare" was built in 1117-38, but many renovations were made later. The two storied porch, of the cathedral´s façade, is embellished with sculptures, works of the sculptor Nicholaus (Niccolo), who as well worked at San Zeno in Verona, in Ferrara and Piacenza. Lots of interesting details can be found on the façade, many themed around music and hunting. This one is different. A wolf, dressed as a monk, holding a book. The wolf may be an alumnus of the wolf-schools, that occasionally could be found in medieval times (eg. in Saint-Ursanne and Freiburg).

The abbey "Sainte-Marie d'Arthous" was founded around 1160. This was filiation of the Premonstratensian "Abbaye de la Case-Dieu" in Gers (120 kms east). The building of the church, seen here, was started soon after. It got already consecrated in 1167. The neighbouring bastide Hastingues was founded in 1289 by John Hastings, seneschal of Gascony. This was done following a treaty between Edward I of England, Duke of Aquitaine and the monks of the Abbaye d'Arthous. During the War of Religions the abbey got ruined and lost the importance it once had. Though restored, only 5 monks lived here in 1766, so after the Revolution the abbey was sold by the state - and used as a farm. A bear or wolf on the right and a talented flute player to the left. Does he play a "double flute", known as "diple" or "dvojnice" in Croatia and Serbia?

Upto the French Revolution Saint-Pierre was the center of a small priory, dependend from Saint-Cyprien in near Poitiers at 980, when the place was mentioned first time. The church got erected during the 12th century near the banks of the Vienne. The church serves the parish since the Revolution, but it must have been in a ruined state. In the 1850s the nave had to be rebuilt, using the old capitals. Dogs (or Wolves?) of hell have a poor soul by the ears, watched by a bird below. The twisted tails of the dogs end in the mouth of another head.

Notre-Dame de Surgères was erected in the center of a large castle in the 12th century. The fortification, founded in the 9th century as a motte, when the area was raided by the Vikings, then guarded the border of the historical province of Aunis once. When the church was built a small town had developed around the defence already. Later a small priory and a "hopital" existed, as this was a halt on the Via Turonensis. The pilgrims had a lot to gape here, the facade is stunning 23 meters wide. Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry II of England in 1152, so the area changed hands and was ruled by the House of Plantagenet. During the Hundred Years' War Surgères experienced a long period of decline. Louis XI´s troops conquered the town in 1472 and the fortifications got destructed. During that time Notre Dame lost the tower and large parts of the nave, but not the facade! Six blind arches once flanked the door, five arches above them on "the second floor". There are more than 100 capitals and corbels all over the facade. This seems to be a medieval encyclopedia. A scene in the doctor´s room. At least on the first sight, the patient (dog or wolf) is on the left, while the doctor is sitting relaxed on a chair to the right. The doctor just said "Say Aaah" as he want to make sure, the patient´s tonsils are ok. But the doctor does not use a wooden tongue depresser. I see the handle of a knife in his hand! The guy is killing the creature!

"Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay" is a church outside of Aulnay, in the center of an old graveyard. The setting has not changed for centuries. For the pilgrims of the 12th century this church was a major halt - and it still is for all the tourists... A predecessing church „Saint-Pierre-de-la-Tour“ had been here, that, when the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella got more and more popular, was obviously to small, as Aulnay was conveniently situated between Poitiers and Saintes on the Via Turonensis. A new, larger church was needed, so the place was handed over to the chapter of the cathedral in Poitiers. The canons then probably planned this church, that was erected from about 1130/1140 on. "Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay" is a gem of the "style saintongeais". For Peter Strafford ("Romanesque Churches Of France") this is "one of the best examples of late Romanesque architecture in what used to be Aquitaine". Saint-Pierre´s "South Porch" is what attracts busloads of tourists to stop in Aulnay. And they are right.The "South Porch" is mindblowing. The most outer archivolt is the most spectacular one. So far the icons were somehow in an expectable "christian tradition" (Elders, Saints), but here mythical beasts and fantastic hybrid creatures come to life. Some of these chimerae probably derive from medieval Bestiary, while others seem to come straight from a drug related nightmare. In the center is a sheep, luxuriously dressed like a bishop or abbot and a wolf (dog) holding a book. While the sheep is standing in a (relaxed) upright postion, the dog seems to be in a move. He bares his teeth - and it looks like he is going to tear the book apart. The is an icon from a "wolf´s school", but the schools I saw so far (Freiburg, St, Ursainne) employed monks as teachers. Sheep entered the schools only as a temptation and distraction for the wolfs. Here the sheep plays a totally different role.

Since 1104 a priory existed here, depending from the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes. The erection of the church was completed in 1200 - and by now is the parish church for the population of Corme-Écluse. All other building, that belonged to the priory are lost. Notre Dame has a wonderful facade, a perfect example of the "style saintongeais". The carvings here are delicate like fine lace. Notre Dame has a wonderful facade, a perfect example of the "style saintongeais". The carvings are delicate like fine lace. A poor guy has lost his way in the jungle. Danger all around him. Suddenly a giant wolf attacks.

Saint-Ursanne is named after Ursicinus, an iro-scottish disciple of famous St. Kolumban, the missionary of Bavaria. Ursinicus lived as a hermit here in the valley of the Doubs. After Ursinicus´ death, St. Wandrille (aka Wandregisel) founded a convent at his tomb. This was recorded first time in 849 as "..cella in honorem Sancti Ursicini.." The convent probably merged in a newly founded Benedictian abbey within the 11th century, that a century later was converted to a collegiate of the Prince-Bishopric of Basel. The collegiate church was erected 1200/1400 and integrates some parts of the former abbey church. The structure got severely damaged by the Basel earthquake of 1356. The tower collapsed. It took about a century to repair the ruined church. The collegiate got secularised in 1803, when the village belonged to France. Since the Congress of Vienna the area is part of Canton of Bern - and the former collegiate church now is the parish church of the town. The southern portal, erected around 1200, is clearly inspired by the iconography of Basel Cathedral´s Gallus Pforte (60kms) and the portal of the Nikolaus-chapel inside the Freiburg Muenster (120kms). I had seen a photo of these three capitals on the right side of the portal. These capitals let me do the detour to Switzerland. To the left eagles, not very unique. In the center a breastfeeding mermaid (with legs!). She is flanked by two maids, a fish is whispering into her ear. To the right a "wolf´s school", where a monk teaches an uninterested wolf to read. These two icons are very rare - and have parallels in Basel and Freiburg. I will upload a close up of the mernmaid next.