Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Saint-Martial

San Martial, parish church of Le Douhet is a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built and the building got unbalanced and unstable. The portal, erected in the typical Saintonge-style, is richly decorated. Here is a corbel, depicting the "Descent from the Cross". John 19:38 "After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body." The stones, used in medieval times all over the Saintonge, were very soft and so ideal for complex carvings. Unfortunately they weathered over the centuries.

San Martial, parish church of Le Douhet is a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built and the building got unbalanced and unstable. The portal, erected in the typical Saintonge-style, is richly decorated. San Martial was for sure a place, where pilgrims stopped (for a while). So it is no surprise, that the facade is covered by many small carved graffiti ( here are four). They are kind of strange. I found many crosses, but neither "soles" nor "horse-shoes", that were often carved in by pilgrims.

San Martial, parish church of Le Douhet is a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built and the building got unbalanced and unstable. The portal, erected in the typical Saintonge-style, is richly decorated. One of the apostles, populating the outer archivolt, is Saint Jacques ("Saint James"). The saint is dressed like a pilgrim and holds the pilgrim´s staff. There may have been a "coquille" once as well... The stones all over the Saintonge were very soft and so ideal for complex carvings. Unfortunately they weathered over the centuries. I have tried to walk with such a long stick in 2005, but could not get used to it. Since then I use two walking sticks, what is - for me - very convenient.

San Martial, parish church of Le Douhet is a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built and the building got unbalanced and unstable. The portal, erected in the typical Saintonge-style, is richly decorated. Here a detail from the frieze. For a while, I saw Samson´s haircut (depicted in Aulnay), but this person is just too small. Maybe brawling pilgrims.... The stones all over the Saintonge were very soft and so ideal for complex carvings. Unfortunately, they weathered over the centuries.

San Martial, parish church of Le Douhet is a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built and the building got unbalanced and unstable. The portal, erected in the typical Saintonge-style, is richly decorated. The inner archivolt has four angels flanking the Agnus Dei. Carved in a style similar to Fenioux and Aulnay. The outer archivolt is populated by the apostles and, seated on a throne in the center, God with a cross nimbus.

It was very hot and, after I had passed the large "Château du Douhet", arrived at Saint-Martial, where I took a rest under the chestnut trees. San Martial is a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple (not to be seen from here) was built. The portal, erected in the typical Saintonge-style, is richly decorated. The well balanced "harmony" of the facade got destroyed, when the massive buttress on the left was added.

Saint-Martial is the church of a former abbey, that may be the oldest in the Périgord. Local traditions tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême") within the 6th century. Documents prove an existence in Carolingian times. Norman raiders devastated the abbey in 849 and in 860, monks returned some decades later and rebuilt. During the heydays of medieval pilgrimage one of the many "chemins" to Santiago run through this valley, so this was a welcomed stop over for the "pelerins". The abbey suffered severely during the Hundred Years War, the nave of the church had to be rebuilt within the second half of the 15th century. The Wars of Religions caused more damage, when the abbey got looted by Protestant troops. The French Revolution finally put the monastic life to an end. Todays church may date to the 12th and 13th century, but many parts were added and rebuilt in later centuries. The long nave is one of the "younger" parts, but these two carvings may be reused, when it got rebuilt. The icon of two birds drinking from a chalice or fountain is older than Christianity. It developed into an Eucharistic symbol, associated with Baptism and Resurrection.

Saint-Martial is the church of a former abbey, that may be the oldest in the Périgord. Local traditions tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême") within the 6th century. Documents prove an existence in Carolingian times. Norman raiders devastated the abbey in 849 and in 860, monks returned some decades later and rebuilt. During the heydays of medieval pilgrimage one of the many "chemins" to Santiago run through this valley, so this was a welcomed stop over for the "pelerins". The abbey suffered severely during the Hundred Years War, the nave of the church had to be rebuilt within the second half of the 15th century. The Wars of Religions caused more damage, when the abbey got looted by Protestant troops. The French Revolution finally put the monastic life to an end. Todays church may date to the 12th and 13th century, but many parts were added and rebuilt in later centuries. The long nave is one of the "younger" parts - and of course these elegant vaults.

Saint-Martial is the church of a former abbey, that may be the oldest in the Périgord. Local traditions tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême") within the 6th century. Documents prove an existence in Carolingian times. Norman raiders devastated the abbey in 849 and in 860, monks returned some decades later and rebuilt. During the heydays of medieval pilgrimage one of the many "chemins" to Santiago run through this valley, so this was a welcomed stop over for the "pelerins". The abbey suffered severely during the Hundred Years War, the nave of the church had to be rebuilt within the second half of the 15th century. The Wars of Religions caused more damage, when the abbey got looted by Protestant troops. The French Revolution finally put the monastic life to an end. Todays church may date to the 12th and 13th century, but many parts were added and rebuilt in later centuries. The long nave is one of the "younger" parts.

Saint-Martial is the church of a former abbey, that may be the oldest in the Périgord. Local traditions tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême") within the 6th century. Documents prove an existence in Carolingian times. Norman raiders devastated the abbey in 849 and in 860, monks returned some decades later and rebuilt. During the heydays of medieval pilgrimage one of the many "chemins" to Santiago run through this valley, so this was a welcomed stop over for the "pelerins". The abbey suffered severely during the Hundred Years War, the nave of the church had to be rebuilt within the second half of the 15th century. The Wars of Religions caused more damage, when the abbey got looted by Protestant troops. The French Revolution finally put the monastic life to an end. Todays church may date to the 12th and 13th century, but many parts were added and rebuilt in later centuries. The oldest part may be the massive tower (see previous upload). The ground floor of the tower, seen here, serves as a narthex.

Saint-Martial is the church of a former abbey, that may be the oldest in the Périgord. Local traditions tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême") within the 6th century. Documents prove an existence in Carolingian times. Norman raiders devastated the abbey in 849 and in 860, monks returned some decades later and rebuilt. During the heydays of medieval pilgrimage one of the many "chemins" to Santiago run through this valley, so this was a welcomed stop over for the "pelerins". The abbey suffered severely during the Hundred Years War, the nave of the church had to be rebuilt within the second half of the 15th century. The Wars of Religions caused more damage, when the abbey got looted by Protestant troops. The French Revolution finally put the monastic life to an end. Todays church may date to the 12th and 13th century, but many parts were added and rebuilt in later centuries. The structure has a total length of 46 meters - and a massive tower.

Saint-Martial is the church of a former abbey, that may be the oldest in the Périgord. Local traditions tell, that the abbey was founded by Saint Cybard (aka "Cybard d'Angoulême") within the 6th century. Documents prove an existence in Carolingian times. Norman raiders devastated the abbey in 849 and in 860, monks returned some decades later and rebuilt. During the heydays of medieval pilgrimage one of the many "chemins" to Santiago run through this valley, so this was a welcomed stop over for the "pelerins". The abbey suffered severely during the Hundred Years War, the nave of the church had to be rebuilt within the second half of the 15th century. The Wars of Religions caused more damage, when the abbey got looted by Protestant troops. The French Revolution finally put the monastic life to an end. Todays church may date to the 12th and 13th century, but many parts were added and rebuilt in later centuries. The structure is pretty massive with a total length of 46 meters.

In the center of Le Douhet, a village just 12 kms north east of Saintes, is Saint Martial, a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built. The western facade is richly decorated with friezes and archivolts over the portal and the flanking blind arches, but as well some less gifted artists (or vandals?) left their marks. There are lots of crosses, simple blazons and two characters, that remind me on mysterious people from Roswell (New Mexico).

In the center of Le Douhet, a village just 12 kms north east of Saintes, is Saint Martial, a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built. The western facade is richly decorated with friezes and archivolts over the portal and the flanking blind arches. There are as well some remarkable corbels. Some of them are weathered, like this "Descent from the Cross". Joseph of Arimathea takes the body of Jesus down from the cross. A 13th century legend tells, that Joseph in his old age travelled to Glastonbury, where he buried the Holy Grail.

In the center of Le Douhet, a village just 12 kms north east of Saintes, is Saint Martial, a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built. The western facade is richly decorated with friezes and archivolts over the portal and the flanking blind arches. There are as well some remarkable corbels. Here is a mouth puller, presenting his ivories.

In the center of Le Douhet, a village just 12 kms north east of Saintes, is Saint Martial, a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built. The western facade is richly decorated with friezes and archivolts over the portal and the flanking blind arches. Here is the frieze near the wooden door. On the right side is a lion tamer, the left person seems to play with a large snake.

In the center of Le Douhet, a village just 12 kms north east of Saintes, is Saint Martial, a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built. The western facade is richly decorated with friezes and archivolts over the portal and the flanking blind arches. Here is one of the apostles on the left side of the outer archivolt (see previous upload for an overview).The "chequered" archivolt over the blind arch to the very left ends, where the buttress was built in the 15th century.

In the center of Le Douhet, a village just 12 kms north east of Saintes, is Saint Martial, a 12th century structure, that had to be stabilized by buttresses within the 15th century, when a steeple was built. The portal is richly decorated. Here are the archivolts over the entrance. The inner archivolt is centered by the Lamb, enframed by adoring angels. The outer archivolt has a Majestic Christ vertically in the center - and the apostles by the sides.