Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Philippe le Hardi

Legends tell, that a young aristocrat named Avitus was a member of the Visigoth army in the battle of Vouillé in 507. When he was a prisoner of the Franks, he converted to Christianity. Liberated he lived as a miraculous hermit, built a chapel and died around 570. The chapel got destroyed by the Normans, but during the 11th century, a church was erected over his grave and a Benedictine convent was established. When the pilgrimage to Santiago took on, the reputation of Saint Avit let many "pelerins" on the Via Lemovicensis do a detour to visit the relics. So a larger church was built in the 11th and 12th century. This is the massive, partially fortified church, seen today, next to ruins, that were then the convent of regular canons of Saint Augustine. The village around and the church burned within the 13th century, but it is unclear whether English, French or Cathar troops did the damage. In 1280 French King Philippe III (le Hardi) ordered the fortification of the town. It did not help much, as later the English destroyed monastery village. During excavations of the cloister stone balls similar to those used for siege machines were found. In 1577, during the wars of religion, Seigneur of Commarque´s troops entered the monastery, killed or imprisoned the canons, demolished the northwest bell tower and the chevet. The priory never really recovered and in 1695 the chapter of canons is deleted. The church is about 56 m long and up to 20 m wide. The side walls have round Romanesque arches and in the beginning the ceiling may have been flat. Later in Gothic times the vaults were erected. The old rectory is a little further south. The building was included in the fortifications surrounding the monastery.

Legends tell, that a young aristocrat named Avitus was a member of the Visigoth army in the battle of Vouillé in 507. When he was a prisoner of the Franks, he converted to Christianity. Liberated he lived as a miraculous hermit, built a chapel and died around 570. The chapel got destroyed by the Normans, but during the 11th century, a church was erected over his grave and a Benedictine convent was established. When the pilgrimage to Santiago took on, the reputation of Saint Avit let many "pelerins" on the Via Lemovicensis do a detour to visit the relics. So a larger church was built in the 11th and 12th century. This is the massive, partially fortified church, seen today, next to ruins, that were then the convent of regular canons of Saint Augustine. The village around and the church burned within the 13th century, but it is unclear whether English, French or Cathar troops did the damage. In 1280 French King Philippe III (le Hardi) ordered the fortification of the town. It did not help much, as later the English destroyed monastery village. During excavations of the cloister stone balls similar to those used for siege machines were found. In 1577, during the wars of religion, Seigneur of Commarque´s troops entered the monastery, killed or imprisoned the canons, demolished the northwest bell tower and the chevet. The priory never really recovered and in 1695 the chapter of canons is deleted. The church is about 56 m long and up to 20 m wide. The side walls have round Romanesque arches and in the beginning the ceiling may have been flat. Later in Gothic times the vaults were erected. Once was the cloister next to the church. Traces of it can still be seen. For a while, the place was used for the communal cemetery.

Legends tell, that a young aristocrat named Avitus was a member of the Visigoth army in the battle of Vouillé in 507. When he was a prisoner of the Franks, he converted to Christianity. Liberated he lived as a miraculous hermit, built a chapel and died around 570. The chapel got destroyed by the Normans, but during the 11th century, a church was erected over his grave and a Benedictine convent was established. When the pilgrimage to Santiago took on, the reputation of Saint Avit let many "pelerins" on the Via Lemovicensis do a detour to visit the relics. So a larger church was built in the 11th and 12th century. This is the massive, partially fortified church, seen today, next to ruins, that were then the convent of regular canons of Saint Augustine. The village around and the church burned within the 13th century, but it is unclear whether English, French or Cathar troops did the damage. In 1280 French King Philippe III (le Hardi) ordered the fortification of the town. It did not help much, as later the English destroyed monastery village. During excavations of the cloister stone balls similar to those used for siege machines were found. In 1577, during the wars of religion, Seigneur of Commarque´s troops entered the monastery, killed or imprisoned the canons, demolished the northwest bell tower and the chevet. The priory never really recovered and in 1695 the chapter of canons is deleted. The church is about 56 m long and up to 20 m wide. The side walls have round Romanesque arches and in the beginning the ceiling may have been flat. Later in Gothic times the vaults were erected. During renovation works in 2001 14th century murals were discovered. Here is Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travellers.

Legends tell, that a young aristocrat named Avitus was a member of the Visigoth army in the battle of Vouillé in 507. When he was a prisoner of the Franks, he converted to Christianity. Liberated he lived as a miraculous hermit, built a chapel and died around 570. The chapel got destroyed by the Normans, but during the 11th century, a church was erected over his grave and a Benedictine convent was established. When the pilgrimage to Santiago took on, the reputation of Saint Avit let many "pelerins" on the Via Lemovicensis do a detour to visit the relics. So a larger church was built in the 11th and 12th century. This is the massive, partially fortified church, seen today, next to ruins, that were then the convent of regular canons of Saint Augustine. The village around and the church burned within the 13th century, but it is unclear whether English, French or Cathar troops did the damage. In 1280 French King Philippe III (le Hardi) ordered the fortification of the town. It did not help much, as later the English destroyed monastery village. During excavations of the cloister stone balls similar to those used for siege machines were found. In 1577, during the wars of religion, Seigneur of Commarque´s troops entered the monastery, killed or imprisoned the canons, demolished the northwest bell tower and the chevet. The priory never really recovered and in 1695 the chapter of canons is deleted. The church is about 56 m long and up to 20 m wide. The side walls have round Romanesque arches and in the beginning the ceiling may have been flat. Later in Gothic times the vaults were erected.

Legends tell, that a young aristocrat named Avitus was a member of the Visigoth army in the battle of Vouillé in 507. When he was a prisoner of the Franks, he converted to Christianity. Liberated he lived as a miraculous hermit, built a chapel and died around 570. The chapel got destroyed by the Normans, but during the 11th century, a church was erected over his grave and a Benedictine convent was established. When the pilgrimage to Santiago took on, the reputation of Saint Avit let many "pelerins" on the Via Lemovicensis do a detour to visit the relics. So a larger church was built in the 11th and 12th century. This is the massive, partially fortified church, seen today, next to ruins, that were then was convent of regular canons of Saint Augustine. The village around and the church burned within the 13th century, but it is unclear whether English, French or Cathar troops did the damage. In 1280 French King Philippe III (le Hardi) ordered the fortification of the town. It did not help much, as later the English destroyed monastery village. During excavations of the cloister stone balls similar to those used for siege machines were found. In 1577, during the wars of religion, Seigneur of Commarque´s troops entered the monastery, killed or imprisoned the canons, demolished the northwest bell tower and the chevet. The priory never really recovered and in 1695 the chapter of canons is deleted.

Legends tell, that a young aristocrat named Avitus was a member of the Visigoth army in the battle of Vouillé in 507. When he was a prisoner of the Franks, he converted to Christianity. Liberated he lived as a miraculous hermit, built a chapel and died around 570. The chapel got destroyed by the Normans, but during the 11th century, a church was erected over his grave and a Benedictine convent was established. When the pilgrimage to Santiago took on, the reputation of Saint Avit let many "pelerins" on the Via Lemovicensis do a detour to visit the relics. So a larger church was built in the 11th and 12th century. This is the massive, partially fortified church, seen today, next to ruins, that were then was convent of regular canons of Saint Augustine. The village around and the church burned within the 13th century, but it is unclear whether English, French or Cathar troops did the damage. In 1280 French King Philippe III (le Hardi) ordered the fortification of the town. It did not help much, as later the English destroyed monastery village. During excavations of the cloister stone balls similar to those used for siege machines were found. In 1577, during the wars of religion, Seigneur of Commarque´s troops entered the monastery, killed or imprisoned the canons, demolished the northwest bell tower and the chevet. The priory never really recovered and in 1695 the chapter of canons is deleted.

The church dedicated to San Silvestro (aka "Chiesa del Gesù") church may have been erected around 1000. On 13 March 1271 Henry of Almain, son of Richard, Earl of Cornwall and Count of Anjou, grandson of John, King of England (aka "John Lackland"), attended a mass here together with King Philip III of France (aka "Philippe le Hardi") and Charles of Sicily (aka "Charles I of Naples"). During the ceremony Henry of Almain was attacked by his cousins Simon and Guy de Montfort. Henry was dragged out and stabbed to death by his cousins right in front of the church. The brothers claimed to have done this in revenge of the death of their father and brother, who had been beheaded during the Battle of Evesham (1265). For this crime the Montfort brothers were excommunicated, and Dante banished Guy to the river of boiling blood in the seventh circle of his Inferno.

Elne is a really old town. Herodotus mentioned the town of "Illiberis", later Hannibal camped here (with his elephants) on his way to Italy. Within the 4th century it was named "Castrum Helenae" after the mother of Constantine the Great. Elne was a stronghold of the Visigoths, who founded the bishopric here in the 6th century. During the Middle Ages Elne, once the capital, lost its importance to nearby Perpignan, as the Counts of Roussillon moved their seat to Perpignan. In 1601 even the episcopal seat was transferred to Perpignan So what is the parish church "Sainte-Julie-et-Sainte-Eulalie", is a the former cathedral built on a little hill. It replaced an older church and was consecrated in 1069. During the Crusade of Aragon, a conflict between Philip III of France (aka "Philippe le Hardi") and Peter III of Aragon (aka "Pere el Gran"), the French armee conquered Elne, that was under the command of a knight named "Bastard of Roussillon". The population seeked shelter inside the cathedral. This ended in a masacre, as the church was set afire by the troops. Of course there was looting and plundering. Next to the cathedral is the cloister, erected between 12th and 14th century, and believed to be one of the most important in Southern France. Some damages will date back to the Cruisade of Aragon, some to the Wars of Religions or the French Revolution, but still many carvings are "in situ" and in a good condition. There is a surprising number of mermaids, mermen and sirenes in Elne, and I resist, to upload all of them. Marcel Durliat, author of "Roussillon roman", has noticed them too, but he cannot explain the great number. I have the impression, that heads and faces of mermaids have had a strange attraction for vandals. Mermen had a better chance to stay unharmed. This now ends the little mermaid/mermen series, as there is much more to be seen here.

Elne is a really old town. Herodotus mentioned the town of "Illiberis", later Hannibal camped here (with his elephants) on his way to Italy. Within the 4th century it was named "Castrum Helenae" after the mother of Constantine the Great. Elne was a stronghold of the Visigoths, who founded the bishopric here in the 6th century. During the Middle Ages Elne, once the capital, lost its importance to nearby Perpignan, as the Counts of Roussillon moved their seat to Perpignan. In 1601 even the episcopal seat was transferred to Perpignan So what is the parish church "Sainte-Julie-et-Sainte-Eulalie", is a the former cathedral built on a little hill. It replaced an older church and was consecrated in 1069. During the Crusade of Aragon, a conflict between Philip III of France (aka "Philippe le Hardi") and Peter III of Aragon (aka "Pere el Gran"), the French armee conquered Elne, that was under the command of a knight named "Bastard of Roussillon". The population seeked shelter inside the cathedral. This ended in a masacre, as the church was set afire by the troops. Of course there was looting and plundering. Next to the cathedral is the cloister, erected between 12th and 14th century, and believed to be one of the most important in Southern France. Some damages will date back to the Cruisade of Aragon, some to the Wars of Religions or the French Revolution, but still many carvings are "in situ" and in a good condition. There is a surprising number of mermaids, mermen and sirenes in Elne, and I resist, to upload all of them. Marcel Durliat, author of "Roussillon roman", has noticed them too, but he cannot explain the great number. An atlant to the right, mermaids - and in the distant a pair of posing griffons. I have the impression, that heads and faces of mermaids have had a strange attraction for vandals. Mermen had a better chance to stay unharmed.

Elne is a really old town. Herodotus mentioned the town of "Illiberis", later Hannibal camped here (with his elephants) on his way to Italy. Within the 4th century it was named "Castrum Helenae" after the mother of Constantine the Great. Elne was a stronghold of the Visigoths, who founded the bishopric here in the 6th century. During the Middle Ages Elne, once the capital, lost its importance to nearby Perpignan, as the Counts of Roussillon moved their seat to Perpignan. In 1601 even the episcopal seat was transferred to Perpignan So what is the parish church "Sainte-Julie-et-Sainte-Eulalie", is a the former cathedral built on a little hill. It replaced an older church and was consecrated in 1069. During the Crusade of Aragon, a conflict between Philip III of France (aka "Philippe le Hardi") and Peter III of Aragon (aka "Pere el Gran"), the French armee conquered Elne, that was under the command of a knight named "Bastard of Roussillon". The population seeked shelter inside the cathedral. This ended in a masacre, as the church was set afire by the troops. Of course there was looting and plundering. Next to the cathedral is the cloister, erected between 12th and 14th century, and believed to be one of the most important in Southern France. Some damages will date back to the Cruisade of Aragon, some to the Wars of Religions or the French Revolution, but still many carvings are "in situ" and in a good condition. There is a surprising number of mermaids, mermen and sirenes in Elne, and I resist, to upload all of them. Marcel Durliat, author of "Roussillon roman", has noticed them too, but he cannot explain the great number. Here - seen from the upper floor - is a merman (with undamaged face!) and a siren on the left.

later Hannibal camped here (with his elephants) on his way to Italy. Within the 4th century it was named "Castrum Helenae" after the mother of Constantine the Great. Elne was a stronghold of the Visigoths, who founded the bishopric here in the 6th century. During the Middle Ages Elne, once the capital, lost its importance to nearby Perpignan, as the Counts of Roussillon moved their seat to Perpignan. In 1601 even the episcopal seat was transferred to Perpignan So what is the parish church "Sainte-Julie-et-Sainte-Eulalie", is a the former cathedral built on a little hill. It replaced an older church and was consecrated in 1069. During the Crusade of Aragon, a conflict between Philip III of France (aka "Philippe le Hardi") and Peter III of Aragon (aka "Pere el Gran"), the French armee conquered Elne, that was under the command of a knight named "Bastard of Roussillon". The population seeked shelter inside the cathedral. This ended in a masacre, as the church was set afire by the troops. Of course there was looting and plundering. Next to the cathedral is the cloister, erected between 12th and 14th century, and believed to be one of the most important in Southern France. Some damages will date back to the Cruisade of Aragon, some to the Wars of Religions or the French Revolution, but still many carvings are "in situ" and in a good condition. There is a surprising number of mermaids, mermen and sirenes in Elne, and I resist, to upload all of them. Marcel Durliat, author of "Roussillon roman", has noticed them too, but he cannot explain the great number. I have the impression, that heads and faces of mermaids have had a strange attraction for vandals. Mermen had a better chance to stay unharmed.