Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: comb

The Romans were already here and utilised the hot springs. They built a bridge over the river, the Ponte romana, creating an important communication route, which was of course secured by fortifications. In the 5th century, Ourense became the seat of a bishopric. As the capital of the kingdom of the Suebi, Ourense flourished in the 5th and 6th centuries. The Suebi king Teodomiro († 570) built the first cathedral in Ourense after converting from Arianism to Catholicism. Constant raids by the Moorish conquerors and the Normans devastated the city to such an extent that it remained almost uninhabited for several centuries. It was rebuilt in 1071 under King Sancho II of Castile. In the following centuries, the city gained importance as a bishop's see, but also as a trading centre. In the 13th century, Ourense was an important trading centre in Galicia due to its geographical location and its large Jewish community. The economic decline began after the expulsion of Ourense's Jews in 1492 by the Catholic Monarchs. In the centuries that followed, Ourense's importance steadily declined. The earliest cathedral appears to have been a church dedicated to Santa María la Madre. In 550, the Suevian king Chararic built a second church here dedicated to St Martin of Tour. The cathedral was however repeatedly destroyed over the centuries by the Moors and the Northmen who invaded the city. Today's building was constructed as a Romanesque church in the 12th and 13th centuries. Gothic additions followed until the early 16th century. The consecration of the high altar was already in 1188. The museum is connected to the cathedral. A ritual comb, ivory, 1200 Correct, good thoughts could only arise in a well-combed head.

Sens was an important place in medieval times. Upto the 11th century the Archbishop of Sens hold the title "Primate of the Gauls and Germania". Thomas Becket lived in Sens for some time, when he was forced to leave England. Here Thomas met Pope Pope Alexander III. In 1141 Bishop Henri Sanglier here caused the condemnation of Peter Abelard. Bishop Henri Sanglier was well connected to the leading political figures. He and Abbot Suger de Saint-Denis were close friends - and had similar architectural ideas. Abbot Suger decided around 1137 to rebuild the Church of Saint-Denis. Bishop Henri started the construction of this cathedral around 1140. It is still discussed, which church is older, as this would be the oldest early Gothic church in France. While in Saint Denis (130kms northwest) the building process came to an halt for some time, the choir of the cathedral in Sens was completed already in 1168. It is sure, as Suger´s church in Saint Denis was an abbey church, the "Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Sens" is the oldest Gothic cathedral in France. Of course, there were many alterations done later. After the southern tower of the western facade collapsed in 1267 it got rebuilt within the next decades. When Pope Alexander III consecrated the cathedral in 1164 it may not have been fully completed. On 27 May 1234 Louis IX (aka "Saint Louis") married Marguerite de Provence, who was 13 years old at that time. Many carvings are Romanesque, this one is younger. A mermaid equipped with the symbols of vanity: a comb and a mirror.

Marciac has its fame from the annual Jazz Festival, that was going on, when I reached the small town - and decided to stay for two days. The interior of the late gothic "Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption" was quiet and uncrowded. The church was erected in the 15th century, but some older, Romanesque carvings got reused here. Under the power line is this mermaid, holding a comb and a mirror. So she stands for vanity, a symbol that can often be found in gothic churches.

This mermaid can be seen in the left side chapel of the parish church Saint-Philibert in Charlieu. The chapel was added to the church end of 15th century. This (compared to her two collegues in the nearby abbey) small and skinny mermaid only has one tail - and holds a mirror and a comb. This are symbols of "vanitias".