Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Maison de Lusignan

The second church in the center of the village is much older than the Protestant temple, just seen. It was erected within the 12th century und was used by the Protestant parish after the Revolution until the new temple was completed. At that time Saint Martin was already pretty ruined, soon after parts of the vaulting collapsed, but it got restored from 1860 - 1865 and is in good condition. On the right side is carving, that may be a spolia as well - and probably was created for the same locations as the "horse", just seen. Again stone and carvings style differ as well from the corbels below. A bearded man under a rope (?) under an arch (?) .. The mermaid, seen on a previous upload, is to the very left.

The second church in the center of the village is much older than the Protestant temple, just seen. It was erected within the 12th century und was used by the Protestant parish after the Revolution until the new temple was completed. At that time Saint Martin was already pretty ruined, soon after parts of the vaulting collapsed, but it got restored from 1860 - 1865 and is in good condition. I have the impression, that the carving depicting a quadruped animal (horse?) is a spolia, that may have been done for another location. The place on the left is strange. Stone and carvings style differ as well from the corbels below.

The second church in the center of the village is much older than the Protestant temple, just seen. It was erected within the 12th century und was used by the Protestant parish after the Revolution until the new temple was completed. At that time Saint Martin was already pretty ruined, soon after parts of the vaulting collapsed, but it got restored from 1860 - 1865 and is in good condition. Here is the second of the two mermaids on Saint Martin´s western facade. She as well is very weathered, and looks like a twin of the mermaid just seen. Is this Melusine (again)? What is the meaning of that bird? Vançais is only about 20 kms apart from Lusignan, where the legendary fairy Melusine once upon a time married Prince Raymond of Poitou. The couple had ten kids - and so they founded the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan"). "Raymond was not allowed to watch her, when she took a bath, but one day..." tells the legend. Here even two guys watch the mermaid from above!

The second church in the center of the village is much older than the Protestant temple, just seen. It was erected within the 12th century und was used by the Protestant parish after the Revolution until the new temple was completed. At that time Saint Martin was already pretty ruined, soon after parts of the vaulting collapsed, but it got restored from 1860 - 1865 and is in good condition. Here is one of two mermaids on Saint Martin´s western facade. She is very weathered, but her hair is still visible - and of course the fish scales. The mermaid is not the elegant vanity-style type, but - in case this is possible - pretty realistic. Is this Melusine? Vançais is only about 20 kms apart from Lusignan, where the legendary fairy Melusine once upon a time married Prince Raymond of Poitou. The couple had ten kids - and so they founded the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan"). "Raymond was not allowed to watch her, when she took a bath, but one day..." tells the legend. Here somebody watches the mermaid from above!

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as once upon a time Prince Raymond of Poitou and Fairy Melusine founded the dynasty. The family resided in a castle, that in medieval times was one of the largest in France. The ruins of the castle got demolished in the 19th century, but this church, founded by Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, in 1024 just opposite the castle still exists. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. It got already seriously damaged during a conflict between the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lusignan in 1168. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired.

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as Prince Raymond of Poitou married Fairy Melusine. They had ten children - and so founded this dynasty. "Les halles", built in 1853, are impressing 33 meters long and 16 meters wide. They replaced a medieval market hall. Mid 19th century the very most "new" market halls were metal constructions, so this was a very "traditional" structure at that time.

Approaching Lusignan, former home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan" an old noble family deeply rooted in the medieval legends. Prince Raymond of Poitou married Fairy Melusine (we just met both at the fountain). They had ten children - and so founded this dynasty. Actually Melusine was very popular. The House of Plantagenet also claims ancestry from Melusine.