Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: blacksmith

The Church of St Mary and All Saints dates from the 13th century. A church probably existed on this site in Anglo-Saxon times. There are three Anglo-Saxon crosses in the churchyard. The "Church of St Mary held in Wallei" was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Most of the present church was built in the 13th century, replacing a simpler structure which likely had an aisleless nave and chancel. The tower was added in the late 15th century. The ruins of the Cistercian abbey of Whalley Abbey, founded in 1172, are very close by. The last abbot, John Paslew, was involved in the "Pilgrimage of Grace" against the church policy of King Henry VIII and was subsequently executed. Following the sequestration of the monastery by the Crown in 1537, it was dissolved in 1545 and fell into disrepair towards the end of the 17th century. The stalls in the parish church may originate from the former Cistercian abbey.

The Church of St Mary and All Saints dates from the 13th century. A church probably existed on this site in Anglo-Saxon times. There are three Anglo-Saxon crosses in the churchyard. The "Church of St Mary held in Wallei" was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Most of the present church was built in the 13th century, replacing a simpler structure which likely had an aisleless nave and chancel. The tower was added in the late 15th century. The ruins of the Cistercian abbey of Whalley Abbey, founded in 1172, are very close by. The last abbot, John Paslew, was involved in the "Pilgrimage of Grace" against the church policy of King Henry VIII and was subsequently executed. Following the sequestration of the monastery by the Crown in 1537, it was dissolved in 1545 and fell into disrepair towards the end of the 17th century. The stalls in the parish church may originate from the former Cistercian abbey.

The Cahors Cathedral was erected between 1080 and 1135. It got consecrated by Pope Calixtus II in 1119. The same pope, who two years later could imprison his rival "Antipope" Gregory VIII. Four years later, Calixtus ended the Investiture Controversy by agreeing with Emperor Henry V on the Concordat of Worms. During the times of medieval pilgrimage this cathedral was an important place on the "Via Podiensis", as the "Sainte Coiffe" could be venerated here. This "Holy Headdress" was believed to have been used during Jesus' burial. It had been given to Aymatus, Bishop of Cahors, by Charlemagne. A relic similar to the "Shroud of Turin". On the northern side of the cathedral and intricate Romanesque portal faces the "Via Podiensis". This was what the pilgrims saw first - and this portal they used entering the basilica. The carvings are very soft and elegant. The tympanum depicts Christ in a mandorla, surrounded by angles. Very interesting are the archivolts. One of them is populated with hunters and craftsmen. Here is a farrier shoeing a horse. Farriers are highly esteemed artisans since about 2000 years. "The Worshipful Company of Farriers" exists in London since 1356. www.wcf.org.uk The scene is in deed vertically - I made it horizontally...

Compared to the gorgeous churches in the neighbouring villages Rioux and Rétaud the single nave church Saint-Quentin in Chermignac seems very humble. The archivolts of the portal have some nice details. Here is a bearded blacksmith with sledge hammer and tongs. Such an apron (from leather) is still worn by blacksmiths today.

"Santa María la Real" is one of the highlights for all people following the "Camino Aragonés" - since about 800 years. The facade is impressing it may take hours, to find out the many details. I stayed an extra day, when I had reached the town, just to see the shadows movig over the carvings. A church did exist here already in 1131 next to the bridge crossing the river Aragon. It was transferred by Alfonso I to the "Knights Hospitaller" (aka "Order of Saint John", later "Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta"). The apse is the oldest part of the structure and probably dates back to that time. The nave and the breathtaking Southern Portal of Santa María la Real were created late 12th/13th century. I have uploaded a "total overview" earlier and will now focus on some details. Another more detailled close up of the right triangel, centered around the Edda-scenes. Sigurd/Siegfried killing the dragon. Reginn reforging the mythical sword Gram. Sigurd/Siegfried awakening the sleeping valkyrie Brynhild.

"Santa María la Real" is one of the highlights for all people following the "Camino Aragonés" - since about 800 years. The facade is impressing it may take hours, to find out the many details. I stayed an extra day, when I had reached the town, just to see the shadows movig over the carvings. A church did exist here already in 1131 next to the bridge crossing the river Aragon. It was transferred by Alfonso I to the "Knights Hospitaller" (aka "Order of Saint John", later "Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta"). The apse is the oldest part of the structure and probably dates back to that time. The nave and the breathtaking Southern Portal of Santa María la Real were created late 12th/13th century. I have uploaded a "total overview" earlier and will now focus on some details. This is (a part) of the left triangel next to the semicircular archivolts. For me, this looks rather chaotic. It is full of enigmatic "stories". The strangest is connected to the Norse/Germanic mythology, the Edda. The person killing a dragon with a sword is Sigurd (aka Siegfried), below him is his stepfather Reginn, the mythical blacksmith, probably just reforging the sword Gram. Even the deer below may play a role in here, as the sleeping valkyrie Brynhild is been awakend by Sigurd, after he killed the dragon and Reginn (they were brothers)..... No! The large bowing giant may well be the sleeping valkyrie Brynhild. Seen here is the scene, when Sigurd is waking her up..