Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Norman Raids

A legend tells, that the Abbaye Saint-Pierre was founded by Frankish King Clovis in 506, but historians proved that it was indeed founded founded within the 7th century by the Bishop of Cahors. It was not easy for the convent. It got attacked by moorish troops twice within the 8th century. A hundred years later the Normans rowed up the Garonne and raided the place. After Hungarian troops had looted and destroyed it finally in the 10th century the monastery got rebuilt. When the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular, the Abbey got affiliated to Cluny and was a major halt on the Via Podensis. This was the golden age for the abbey and the abbots invested in architecture and art. The Romanesque church, consecrated already in 1063, got completely destroyed during the Albigensian Crusade. The portal, created 1110/1130, survived the times. It is a great piece of Romanesque art. This is a small detail of the tympanum, that refers to the Book of Revelation. The apocalypse is a common theme on tympana along the pilgrim-routes during the 12th century (eg. Morlaas, Conques, Aulnay, Saintes...). The Elders of the Apocalypse, holding their vielles, are masterly carved and very rich in details. They are all focussed on Christ in the center - and sit very relaxed. Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."

A legend tells, that the Abbaye Saint-Pierre was founded by Frankish King Clovis in 506, but historians proved that it was indeed founded founded within the 7th century by the Bishop of Cahors. It was not easy for the convent. It got attacked by moorish troops twice within the 8th century. A hundred years later the Normans rowed up the Garonne and raided the place. After Hungarian troops had looted and destroyed it finally in the 10th century the monastery got rebuilt. When the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular, the Abbey got affiliated to Cluny and was a major halt on the Via Podensis. This was the golden age for the abbey and the abbots invested in architecture and art. The Romanesque church, consecrated already in 1063, got completely destroyed during the Albigensian Crusade. The portal, created 1110/1130, survived the times. It is a great piece of Romanesque art. This is a small detail of the tympanum, that refers to the Book of Revelation. The apocalypse is a common theme on tympana along the pilgrim-routes during the 12th century (eg. Morlaas, Conques, Aulnay, Saintes...). The Elders of the Apocalypse, holding their vielles, are masterly carved and very rich in details. They are all focussed on Christ in the center - and sit very relaxed. Revelation 4:4 "Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads."

We had decided to visit our irish friends in Moissac on our way north. I had met them, when I walked the Via Podensis some years ago. Of course we did return to the Abbaye Saint-Pierre. A legend tells, that the monastery was founded by Frankish King Clovis in 506, but historians proved that it was indeed founded founded within the 7th century by the Bishop of Cahors. It was not easy for the convent. The monastery got attacked by moorish troops twice within the 8th century. A hundred years later the Normans rowed up the Garonne and raided the place. After Hungarian troops had looted and destroyed it finally in the 10th century the monastery got rebuilt. When the pilgrimage to Santiago got popular, the Abbey got affiliated to Cluny and was a major halt on the Via Podensis. This was the golden age for the abbey and the abbots invested in architecture and art. The Romanesque church, consecrated already in 1063, got completely destroyed during the Albigensian Crusade. The portal, created 1110/1130, survived the times. It is a great piece of Romanesque art - and I took some more photos of this "World Heritage Site".

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church, built in eleventh/twelfth century, got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures and added details. There are two blind arches flanking the central entrance. Here are the archivolts over the right blind arch. While on the left side five misers are plagued by devils, as avarice is a deathly sin, here are five luxuriae tortured by the devils. These ladies are symbols of lust, another deathly sin. Here is a close up.

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church, built in eleventh/twelfth century, got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures and added details. There are two blind arches flanking the central entrance. Here are the archivolts over the right blind arch. While on the left side five misers are plagued by devils, as avarice is a deathly sin, here are five luxuriae tortured by the devils. These ladies are symbols of lust, another deathly sin.

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church, built in eleventh/twelfth century, got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures and added details. There are two blind arches flanking the central entrance. Here are the archivolts over the left blind arch. Avarice is a deathly sin, so that the misers, holding their filled purses, are tortured by evil devils. No mercy! Here is a close up.

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church, built in eleventh/twelfth century, got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures and added details. There are two blind arches flanking the central entrance. Here are the archivolts over the left blind arch. Avarice is a deathly sin, so that the five misers, holding their filled purses, are tortured by evil devils. No mercy!

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church, built in eleventh/twelfth century, got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures and added details. While the outer of the large archivolts depict the "Elders of the Apocalypse" (see previous uploads), the inner one has the signs of the Zodiac and the "Monthly Labors". A farmer is pruning the vines. Below a part of the Sagitarius.

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church, built in eleventh/twelfth century, got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures and added details. Another close up of the central archivolt. The "Elders of the Apocalypse".

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church, built in eleventh/twelfth century, got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures and added details. While the outer of the large archivolts depict the "Elders of the Apocalypse" (see previous uploads), the inner one has the signs of the Zodiac and the "Monthly Labors". The person with the scale stands for Libra.

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church, built in eleventh/twelfth century, got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures and added details. The archivolts over the central portal. The large outer archivolt depicts the "Elders of the Apocalypse", while the large inner archivolt has the signs of the Zodiac and "Monthly Labors". There is the Cancer - and a farmer using a scythe.

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church, built in eleventh/twelfth century, got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures and added details. The archivolts over the central portal are examples of the specific Romanesque carving-style, typical for the Saintonge. Like in Saintes, Aulney and Avy the number of "Elders of the Apocalypse" is higher than 24, what is the number mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church was built in eleventh/twelfth century. Here is the center of the facade, a fine example of the specific Romanesque style, typical for the Saintonge. The church got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême, Saint-Etienne, Cahors) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures. In 1745 Dom Bédos (aka "François Lamathe Bédos de Celles de Salelles") joined the Benedictian congregation of Sainte-Croix. He is known for being a master pipe organ builder. He built an organ for this church in 1748, that in 1811 later was moved to the Cathedral. The organ was returned to Sainte-Croix in the 1970s and restored. In July and August, there are free concerts here every Wednesday at 18h30. www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-zfOJciZDE

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church was built in eleventh/twelfth century. Here is the center of the facade, a fine example of the specific Romanesque style, typical for the Saintonge. The church got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême, Saint-Etienne, Cahors) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures.

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church was built in eleventh/twelfth century. Here is the center of the facade, a fine example of the specific Romanesque style, typical for the Saintonge. The church got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême, Saint-Etienne, Cahors) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures. St. George slaying the dragon (left) is one of Abbadie´s additions.

The late afternoon sun shines on "Sainte-Croix", the church of the former "Abbatiale Sainte-Croix". The abbey was founded in Merovingian times just south of Bordeaux. The exact year is unknown, but it was mentioned already in 679. The abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730 and rebuilt at the end of the century . During the 9th century the Normans raided the area and the abbey got devastated again. Local nobility supported the rebuilding of the abbey by donations and privileges. The abbey church was built in eleventh/twelfth century - and the facade, seen here, is a fine example of the specific Romanesque style, typical for the Saintonge. The church is built as a Latin Cross. The church got renovated and rebuilt during the 19th century by Paul Abadie, later known as the architect of "Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre" and strongly influenced by Viollet-le-Duc. His works (eg Saint-Front, Périgueux, St. Pierre, Angoulême, Saint-Etienne, Cahors) are disputed today, as he "re-created" structures. Here he added the left tower to the facade.

Saint-Seurin was originally built outside the city walls close to an ancient necropolis. The Abbey of St. Seurin bears the name of the venerated fourth bishop of Bordeaux. A first building, confirmed towards mid 5th century, got destroyed during the 8th century Norman invasions. It was reconstructed above the crypt of St. Seurin from the 11th to 13th centuries. The crypt was part of a paleochristian necropolis and so parts if it may date back to the 4th century. Tradition tells, hat the necropolis had been consecrated by Christ and seven bishop saints. As the horn olifant was shown here, it is no surprise, that some of the brave soldiers who died with Roland at Roncevaux had been buried there. Down here are some very elaborated sarcophagi from the 6th and 7th century, that obviously survived the Norman raids. This one has a chrismon (CHi Rho) in the center. Unfortunately I was late and the guard only gave me 5 minutes time down in the crypt, before he locked the gates.

Saint-Seurin was originally built outside the city walls close to an ancient necropolis. The Abbey of St. Seurin bears the name of the venerated fourth bishop of Bordeaux. A first building, confirmed towards mid 5th century, got destroyed during the 8th century Norman invasions. It was reconstructed above the crypt of St. Seurin from the 11th to 13th centuries. The crypt was part of a paleochristian necropolis and so parts if it may date back to the 4th century. Tradition tells, hat the necropolis had been consecrated by Christ and seven bishop saints. As the horn olifant was shown here, it is no surprise, that some of the brave soldiers who died with Roland at Roncevaux had been buried there. Unfortunately I was late and the guard only gave me 5 minutes time down in the crypt, before he locked the gates.