Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: gargoyle

The town became prominent in the 12th century, with the establishment of important Paisley Abbey. The Bargarran witches were tried in Paisley in 1697. Seven were convicted and five were hanged and then burnt. This was the last mass execution for witchcraft in western Europe. Paisley expanded significantly during the Industrial Revolution as a result of its location with access to the Clyde and nearby ore, mineral and agricultural resources. Factories and mills developed leading to an increase in the town's population. By the late 19th century, Paisley was a global centre of the weaving industry, giving its name to the Paisley shawl and the Paisley pattern. Despite being of a Kashmiri design, the teardrop-like pattern soon became known by Paisley's name across the western world. There had been a Celtic church on the site of the monastery since the 6th century, dating back to St Mirin. After his death a shrine to the Saint was established, becoming a popular site of pilgrimage and veneration. In 1163, Walter FitzAlan invited 13 Cluniac monks from Much Wenlock Priory in Shropshire to found a monastery on this site. From 1219, the establishment was run as an abbey and became In 1307, Edward I of England had the abbey burned down. It was rebuilt later in the 14th century. Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland married Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert I, in 1315, who died the following year in a riding accident near the abbey. However, her unborn child was saved and later crowned King of Scotland as Robert II. As he founded the ruling dynasty of the House of Stuart, the abbey is also regarded as their birthplace. A total of six High Stewards of Scotland are buried in Paisley Abbey. After the collapse of the bell tower in 1533 destroyed the aisles and transept of the church, they were not rebuilt. The abbey was dissolved in 1560 as part of the Scottish Reformation. The remaining parts of the church were then used as a parish church. In 1789, the church was repaired. In 1859, the first of a series of extensive restoration works began, returning the church to its original state over time. In 1991, the abbey underwent some necessary restoration work. Twelve of its 13 gargoyles were so badly ruined they had to be removed and replaced with newer models. Apparently, some of the stone masons had a bit of fun with their creations. This creature bears a strong resemblance to H.R. Giger's Xenomorph from the Alien franchise.

The town became prominent in the 12th century, with the establishment of important Paisley Abbey. The Bargarran witches were tried in Paisley in 1697. Seven were convicted and five were hanged and then burnt. This was the last mass execution for witchcraft in western Europe. Paisley expanded significantly during the Industrial Revolution as a result of its location with access to the Clyde and nearby ore, mineral and agricultural resources. Factories and mills developed leading to an increase in the town's population. By the late 19th century, Paisley was a global centre of the weaving industry, giving its name to the Paisley shawl and the Paisley pattern. Despite being of a Kashmiri design, the teardrop-like pattern soon became known by Paisley's name across the western world. There had been a Celtic church on the site of the monastery since the 6th century, dating back to St Mirin. After his death a shrine to the Saint was established, becoming a popular site of pilgrimage and veneration. In 1163, Walter FitzAlan invited 13 Cluniac monks from Much Wenlock Priory in Shropshire to found a monastery on this site. From 1219, the establishment was run as an abbey and became In 1307, Edward I of England had the abbey burned down. It was rebuilt later in the 14th century. Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland married Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert I, in 1315, who died the following year in a riding accident near the abbey. However, her unborn child was saved and later crowned King of Scotland as Robert II. As he founded the ruling dynasty of the House of Stuart, the abbey is also regarded as their birthplace. A total of six High Stewards of Scotland are buried in Paisley Abbey. After the collapse of the bell tower in 1533 destroyed the aisles and transept of the church, they were not rebuilt. The abbey was dissolved in 1560 as part of the Scottish Reformation. The remaining parts of the church were then used as a parish church. In 1789, the church was repaired. In 1859, the first of a series of extensive restoration works began, returning the church to its original state over time. In 1991, the abbey underwent some necessary restoration work. Twelve of its 13 gargoyles were so badly ruined they had to be removed and replaced with newer models. Apparently, some of the stone masons had a bit of fun with their creations.

The town became prominent in the 12th century, with the establishment of important Paisley Abbey. The Bargarran witches were tried in Paisley in 1697. Seven were convicted and five were hanged and then burnt. This was the last mass execution for witchcraft in western Europe. Paisley expanded significantly during the Industrial Revolution as a result of its location with access to the Clyde and nearby ore, mineral and agricultural resources. Factories and mills developed leading to an increase in the town's population. By the late 19th century, Paisley was a global centre of the weaving industry, giving its name to the Paisley shawl and the Paisley pattern. Despite being of a Kashmiri design, the teardrop-like pattern soon became known by Paisley's name across the western world. There had been a Celtic church on the site of the monastery since the 6th century, dating back to St Mirin. After his death a shrine to the Saint was established, becoming a popular site of pilgrimage and veneration. In 1163, Walter FitzAlan invited 13 Cluniac monks from Much Wenlock Priory in Shropshire to found a monastery on this site. From 1219, the establishment was run as an abbey and became In 1307, Edward I of England had the abbey burned down. It was rebuilt later in the 14th century. Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland married Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert I, in 1315, who died the following year in a riding accident near the abbey. However, her unborn child was saved and later crowned King of Scotland as Robert II. As he founded the ruling dynasty of the House of Stuart, the abbey is also regarded as their birthplace. A total of six High Stewards of Scotland are buried in Paisley Abbey. After the collapse of the bell tower in 1533 destroyed the aisles and transept of the church, they were not rebuilt. The abbey was dissolved in 1560 as part of the Scottish Reformation. The remaining parts of the church were then used as a parish church. In 1789, the church was repaired. In 1859, the first of a series of extensive restoration works began, returning the church to its original state over time. In 1991, the abbey underwent some necessary restoration work. Twelve of its 13 gargoyles were so badly ruined they had to be removed and replaced with newer models. Apparently, some of the stone masons had a bit of fun with their creations.

Selby´s origins date from the establishment of a Viking settlement on the banks of the River Ouse. It is believed that Selby originated as a settlement called Seletun, which was referred to in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of AD 779. Selby Abbey was founded by Benedict of Auxerre in 1069 and subsequently built by the de Lacy family. Archbishop Walter Giffard visited the monastery in 1275 by commission, and several monks and the abbot were charged with a list of faults including loose living: many complaints referred to misconduct with married women. Just four years later Archbishop William de Wickwane made a visitation, and found fault with the abbot as he did not observe the Rule of Saint Benedict. Things had not improved much in 1306 when Archbishop William Greenfield visited, and similar visitations in later years resulted in similar findings. The community rebuilt the choir in the early 14th century, but in 1340 a fire destroyed the chapter house, dormitory, treasury and part of the church. The damage was repaired and the decorated windows in the south aisle of the nave were installed. In 1380 there were the abbot and twenty-five monks. In 1393 Pope Boniface IX granted an indulgence to pilgrims who contributed to the conservation of the chapel of the Holy Cross in the abbey. Between 1069 and 1539, the year of the dissolution of the English monasteries under King Henry VIII, there were 34 abbots, many of whom made structural alterations. The church is built on sandy ground and has suffered from subsidence. Many areas collapsed in the 17th century, but these were rebuilt. Between 1871 and 1873, the church was restored. Further damage was caused by a fire in 1906. A shabby creature has emerged from a nightmare - and is now in the light of day.

In Roman times Gloucester (= "Glevum") Glevum was an important crossing of the River Severn. At its height, Glevum may have had a population of as many as 10,000 people. The entire area around Glevum was intensely Romanised in the second and third centuries with a high distribution of villas. Withdrawal of all Roman forces in about 410 may have allowed leading families of the Dobunni tribe to regain power. In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Gloucester is shown as part of Wessex from the Battle of Deorham in 577. The foundation in 681 of the abbey of St Peter by Æthelred of Mercia, favoured town growth; and before the Norman conquest of England, Gloucester was a borough governed by a portreeve, with a castle which was frequently a royal residence, and a mint. In the early 10th century the remains of Saint Oswald were brought to a small church here and shrine built there, a draw for pilgrims. The first Norman ruler, Earl Godwine, was succeeded almost a century later by Robert of Gloucester. In a charter of 1155, Henry II of England granted the citizens the same rights as the inhabitants of London and Winchester. Henry II's second charter guaranteed free passage across the River Severn. The first charter was confirmed by King Richard I in 1194. King John Lackland´s charter in 1200 considerably extended the town's rights. A mainstay of the local economy in the late Middle Ages was the textile trade. In the days of the Hanseatic League, the clothmakers of Gloucester maintained lively business contacts with the German merchants in London. Gloucester Abbey was initially founded as a nunnery in the 7th century. Benedictines moved in in 1022. In 1072, Serlo, a native of Normandy, became abbot and the dilapidated old Gloucester Abbey was reoccupied. At Christmas 1085, William the Conqueror commissioned the legendary Domesday Book to be drawn up in the old chapter house, in which the new ownership of the conquered land was recorded. In the following years, the abbey received various donations from William and his sons, enabling Bishop Robert of Hereford to lay the foundation stone for a new, larger Norman church in 1089. It was consecrated in 1100. At this time, probably only the choir with the gallery and the extensive crypt, the crossing and the first bays of the nave had been completed. The structure of the wall then changed; it is assumed that a fire in 1122 was the cause of this. Then there was a series of structural damages. Among other things, the southern west tower collapsed in 1170. After the roof truss burnt down in 1190, the stone vaulting of the nave was completed in 1242.This created a clear contrast between the mighty Norman pillars and the delicate Gothic vaulting rising from the triforium zone. At the beginning of the 14th century, the abbey had funds at its disposal, which were invested in the embellishment of the church. Firstly, the north aisle was renovated from 1318 to 1329 and the south transept was remodelled from 1331 to 1337 by not demolishing the old "Serlo building", but instead deciding to rebuild it.This part of the Serlo building from around 1100 is therefore still largely preserved, albeit hidden behind a new wall.The vault was raised, the clerestory windows enlarged and the remains of the Norman wall covered with the new Decorated Style tracery. After the Dissolution of the monasteries, Henry VIII created the new Diocese of Gloucester and in 1541, the abbey church became the cathedral. The iron tongue

Since the 13th century a small church, dedicated to the Virgin, was known here, that developed into a place of pilgrimage. Rich donations made the erection of the church seen today possible. The construction started in 1405 and was completed in 1527. Basilique Notre-Dame has highly interesting and superb gargoyles.

Since the 13th century a small church, dedicated to the Virgin, was known here, that developed into a place of pilgrimage. Rich donations made the erection of the church seen today possible. The construction started in 1405 and was completed in 1527. Basilique Notre-Dame has highly interesting and superb gargoyles.

Since the 13th century a small church, dedicated to the Virgin, was known here, that developed into a place of pilgrimage. Rich donations made the erection of the church seen today possible. The construction started in 1405 and was completed in 1527. Basilique Notre-Dame has highly interesting and superb gargoyles.

Notre-Dame, erected 1230 - 1251, is considered a jewel of 13th-century Gothic architecture in France. The planar western façade is quite unique - as it opens like a large screen to the spectator. The "screen" is 28,6 m high by 19,5 m wide. There are three levels. The lowest (here only party seen) has three arcades forming the entry into a porch. Above are two arcaded galleries, one above the other. On each of these two upper levels the arches rest on 17 columns. Emphasising the top and bottom of these galleries are three string courses consisting of 51 (not water-transporting) gargoyles. The original gargoyles were in place for only a short time. They were removed already around 1240, following a fatal accident. A usurer was killed on the church forecourt as he was about to get married: a stone figure representing a usurer became detached and fell on him. His colleagues organised the destruction of all gargoyles on the façade, except for one at the upper right corner that survived until the 1960s, when it was replaced. The gargoyles which today decorate the façade were made in 1880-1882, during the restoration of the church.

Notre-Dame, erected 1230 - 1251, is considered a jewel of 13th-century Gothic architecture in France. The planar western façade is quite unique - as it opens like a large screen to the spectator. The "screen" is 28,6 m high by 19,5 m wide. There are three levels. The lowest (here only party seen) has three arcades forming the entry into a porch. Above are two arcaded galleries, one above the other. On each of these two upper levels the arches rest on 17 columns. Emphasising the top and bottom of these galleries are three string courses consisting of 51 (not water-transporting) gargoyles. The original gargoyles were in place for only a short time. They were removed already around 1240, following a fatal accident. A usurer was killed on the church forecourt as he was about to get married: a stone figure representing a usurer became detached and fell on him. His colleagues organised the destruction of all gargoyles on the façade, except for one at the upper right corner that survived until the 1960s, when it was replaced. The gargoyles which today decorate the façade were made in 1880-1882, during the restoration of the church. Here are three of them.

Notre-Dame, erected 1230 - 1251, is considered a jewel of 13th-century Gothic architecture in France. The planar western façade is quite unique - as it opens like a large screen to the spectator. The "screen" is 28,6 m high by 19,5 m wide. There are three levels. The lowest (here only party seen) has three arcades forming the entry into a porch. Above are two arcaded galleries, one above the other. On each of these two upper levels the arches rest on 17 columns. Emphasising the top and bottom of these galleries are three string courses consisting of 51 (not water-transporting) gargoyles. The original gargoyles were in place for only a short time. They were removed already around 1240, following a fatal accident. A usurer was killed on the church forecourt as he was about to get married: a stone figure representing a usurer became detached and fell on him. His colleagues organised the destruction of all gargoyles on the façade, except for one at the upper right corner that survived until the 1960s, when it was replaced. The gargoyles which today decorate the façade were made in 1880-1882, during the restoration of the church.

A convent of Augustinian nuns was founded here around 1147. The Romanesque church, erected within the 12th century, got strongly altered and enlarged within the 15th and 16th century. After the reformation the nunnery was converted into into secular convent to maintain unmarried or widowed noble women. This "stift" existed upto 1810. The gargoyle (two faces!) probably dates back to the 12th century church.

Manegold of Lautenbach, a celebrity of his time, lived here in the 11th. century. During the Investiture Controversy, Manegold sided strongly with Pope Gregory VII. Emperor Henry IV was so annoyed about this, that he sent an army, to destroy the monastery and churches. About 50 years later Augustinian Canons settled here - and rebuilt the church, reusing a lot of old material, so some of the carvings seen here, may orginate from the older church. Many changes took place in and around the building (now the parish church) over the time, but some parts seem seem still unchanged. This gargoyle is for sure not reused from the older structure. This gargoyle was carved, after the choir was added to the church around 1235. The cone-shaped "Jewish hat" makes very clear, that the person seen here, is a jew. To wear such hats was enforced in many places in medieval times, in order to distinguish Jews from others. Here is another example of a "jewish hat", taken in Lemgo, Germany. www.flickr.com/photos/martin-m-miles/4338575468/

The architecture of Notre Dame de l'Assomption, the parish church of Rouffach, about 20kms south of Colmar, is a mixture of romanesque and gothique style. The pretty huge building suffered heavy damage during the French Revolution. A mean looking little guy near one of the windows of the gothic choir. He is wearing a cloak with a hood and seems waiting for unwary spectators coming near enough - to spit on them.

This was the center of the former diocese, founded by the legendary Saint Restitut, who had travelled to France with the "Three Marys". Two of his successors were Saint Torquatus and Saint Paul, after whom the town later was named. A church was erected over their tombs. A cathedral dedicated to the Virgin and Saint Paul that existed mid 9th century got destroyed when the Saracen and in the 920s Hungarian troops raided the area. Today´s cathedral was erected from 1120 on. Around 1180 the nave was completed, it was consecrated in the early 13th century. Severely damaged during the Wars of Religions it lost the importance, when after the Concordat of 1801 the long history of the "Diocese of Tricastin" ended. Since then the cathedral serves the parish. Jean-Maurice Rouquette ("Provence Romane") describes this cathedral as the "perfect example" for the "art roman provençal", the specific style of Romanesque architecture that developed in this region. As I have already uploaded many fotos taken here during rom previous visits, so I will just add a few now. The nice horse looks down from the Cathédrale Notre-Dame since centuries.

"Notre-Dame de Reims" replaced an older church, burnt down in 1211. That church had been built on the site of the basilica where Clovis was baptized by Saint Remi, bishop of Reims, in 496. The erection of the the large Gotihc cathedral, the place,where the kings of France were crowned, started before 1220. In 1233 a dispute between the cathedral´s chapter and the population regarding taxation and jurisdication ended in a revolt. After several clerics were killed during the uproar, the chapter fled the town and work on the new cathedral was suspended for three years. By 1241 the choir was already used, the nave got roofed in 1299. Work on the western facade was slow. It was completed within the 14th century, a hundred years after the work started. During the Hundred Years' War the English held Reims after a long siege, but it got reconquered by Jeanne d'Arc´s army in 1429, so that Charles VII of France (aka "le Bien-Servi") was crowned here on 17 July 1429. In the first weeks of WWI German shellfire burned, damaged and destroyed important parts of the cathedral. Restoration work began in 1919 - and is been steadily going on since. I learned, that there is a total of 2303 carved statues of different sizes in- and outside of "Notre-Dame de Reims". Seen here are some of the gargoyles. To the very right is - a cow, staring at the photographer. I met cows again a day later in Laon.

"Notre-Dame de Reims" replaced an older church, burnt down in 1211. That church had been built on the site of the basilica where Clovis was baptized by Saint Remi, bishop of Reims, in 496. The erection of the the large Gotihc cathedral, the place,where the kings of France were crowned, started before 1220. In 1233 a dispute between the cathedral´s chapter and the population regarding taxation and jurisdication ended in a revolt. After several clerics were killed during the uproar, the chapter fled the town and work on the new cathedral was suspended for three years. By 1241 the choir was already used, the nave got roofed in 1299. Work on the western facade was slow. It was completed within the 14th century, a hundred years after the work started. During the Hundred Years' War the English held Reims after a long siege, but it got reconquered by Jeanne d'Arc´s army in 1429, so that Charles VII of France (aka "le Bien-Servi") was crowned here on 17 July 1429. In the first weeks of WWI German shellfire burned, damaged and destroyed important parts of the cathedral. Restoration work began in 1919 - and is been steadily going on since. There are a couple of strange, metal gargoyles on the facade of the cathedral. This one could be a rhino - and I suppose it is new.