Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Christ in Majesty

An earlier church was recorded in Newbald in the Domesday Survey but the present was built circa 1140. St Nicholas is a fine Norman church. It has a large cruciform plan with a tall central tower and is almost unique in having four Norman Doorways, the largest and most elaborate being at the west end of the nave, forming the main door. The chancel is 14th and 15th century. "Christ in Majesty" below a row of corbels towers over the portal.

The limestone quarries in Barnack were already used by the Romans and many of the stones used to build Ely Cathedral in Anglo-Saxon and Norman times came from here. St John the Baptist's Church is noted in particular for its Anglo-Saxon tower to which was added a spire of circa 1200, possibly one of the earliest spires in England. In the north aisle is a large Romanesque sculpture of a seated Christ in Majesty that was discovered under the floor in 1931.

Ely was founded in 673 by St Æthelthryth, daughter of King Anne of East Anglia, by founding an abbey to the north of the village of Cratendune in the Isle of Ely. Queen Æthelthryth from Northumbria was on the run from her husband Ecgfrith, whom she refused to sleep with for twelve years in order not to break an oath of chastity. Ten years after her death, her body is said to have remained uncorrupted. She was reinterred in a marble sarcophagus, which was described as miraculous and attracted many pilgrims. When the Normans under William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, Ely was successfully defended under Hereward the Wake until the clergy handed over the Isle of Ely to the king in 1071 on condition that they were allowed to retain all the rights and privileges they had enjoyed since the time of Edward the Confessor. A diocese of Ely was founded as early as 1109. Ely Cathedral is widely recognised as a prime example of Romanesque-Norman architecture due to its Romanesque core and Norman basic concept. A large number of its structural elements are in Gothic forms, the use of which began here as early as the 12th century. Under William the Conquerer, the new Romanesque abbey church was begun in 1083 by the Norman abbot Simeon, a former monk of St Ouen near Rouen, who was already 90 years old at the time. Work began with the choir. The eastern transept was built between 1087 and 1093 with aisles originally running around three sides of the wings. The arcades of this transept are now the oldest parts of the first construction phase. The 12-bay nave dates from the 12th century and has the highest nave in England. It was completed in 1180 and has a three-part elevation with alternating columns and galleries. The portal on the south aisle dates from around 1140 with a depiction of the Majestas Domini. An influence from south-west France is likely. The door led to the cloister, which no longer exists. After a break of thirty years, the west tower and west transept were completed. The new master builder succeeded in completing the work, which had begun in Romanesque forms, by consistently using early Gothic pointed arches, without creating disharmony between old and new. Under Bishop Hugh of Northwold, the polygonal Romanesque choir was demolished and replaced from 1234 by the present six-bay Gothic choir, completed in 1252. The Prior's Door (1135)

Ely was founded in 673 by St Æthelthryth, daughter of King Anne of East Anglia, by founding an abbey to the north of the village of Cratendune in the Isle of Ely. Queen Æthelthryth from Northumbria was on the run from her husband Ecgfrith, whom she refused to sleep with for twelve years in order not to break an oath of chastity. Ten years after her death, her body is said to have remained uncorrupted. She was reinterred in a marble sarcophagus, which was described as miraculous and attracted many pilgrims. When the Normans under William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, Ely was successfully defended under Hereward the Wake until the clergy handed over the Isle of Ely to the king in 1071 on condition that they were allowed to retain all the rights and privileges they had enjoyed since the time of Edward the Confessor. A diocese of Ely was founded as early as 1109. Ely Cathedral is widely recognised as a prime example of Romanesque-Norman architecture due to its Romanesque core and Norman basic concept. A large number of its structural elements are in Gothic forms, the use of which began here as early as the 12th century. Under William the Conquerer, the new Romanesque abbey church was begun in 1083 by the Norman abbot Simeon, a former monk of St Ouen near Rouen, who was already 90 years old at the time. Work began with the choir. The eastern transept was built between 1087 and 1093 with aisles originally running around three sides of the wings. The arcades of this transept are now the oldest parts of the first construction phase. The 12-bay nave dates from the 12th century and has the highest nave in England. It was completed in 1180 and has a three-part elevation with alternating columns and galleries. The portal on the south aisle dates from around 1140 with a depiction of the Majestas Domini. An influence from south-west France is likely. The door led to the cloister, which no longer exists. After a break of thirty years, the west tower and west transept were completed. The new master builder succeeded in completing the work, which had begun in Romanesque forms, by consistently using early Gothic pointed arches, without creating disharmony between old and new. Under Bishop Hugh of Northwold, the polygonal Romanesque choir was demolished and replaced from 1234 by the present six-bay Gothic choir, completed in 1252. The Prior's Door (1135)

The earliest record of Water Stratford is from the time of Edward the Confessor. After the Norman conquest Water Stratford was one of manors in the region that was granted to Robert D'Oyly. The Domesday Book records that by 1086 Water Stratford had a watermill. Water Stratford remained in the D'Oyly family until the 13th century, when it passed from Henry D'Oyly to his nephew Thomas de Beaumont, 6th Earl of Warwick. The Earl died heirless, leaving his sister Margaret, by whose marriage Water Stratford then passed to the du Plessis family. Late in the 13th century Hugh du Plessis seems to have granted Water Stratford to Edward I. The manor was then the property of successive Princes of Wales until the English Civil War in the middle of the 17th century. The parish church of Saint Giles was built in the 12th century. The south doorway is Norman and has a carved tympanum of Christ in Majesty. The chancel arch and one lancet window on either side in the chancel are 13th century. The tower was built in the 14th century and some Perpendicular Gothic windows were added. The tower was reduced in height in the 18th century. Tympanum Christ in Majesty, flanked by two angels

This Norman church dedicated to St Peter was built about 1130, consisting of an aisle less nave and a chancel possibly with a semi circular apse. The chancel arch and south doorway are outstanding specimens of the famous Herefordshire School of Carving.

The Romanesque chapel from the 12th century was built on the edge of a basalt spur overlooking the Alagnon valley and the town of Massiac. It got the "Chalet" in its name from a nearby village. The Lords of Mercœur had a feudal castle on this strategic position and the chapel was once part of that complex. It actually opened to the courtyard of the castle. The very most of the large medieval ceiling fresco is lost, but "Christ in Majesty" (Majestas Domini) is still recognizable in the mandorla.

Milan is the city capital of the Lombardy and the second most populous city in Italy after Rome. Known during Roman times as "Mediolanum" it was the place, where in 313 Constantine I and Licinius met and "signed" the "Edict of Milan", giving Christianity a legal status within the Roman empire. At the end of the Roman empire Milan was besieged by the Visigoths in 402, looted by the Huns in 452, and taken by the Ostrogoths in 539. Only 30 years later is belonged to the Kingdom of the Lombards, until in 774 Charlemagne defeated the Langobards and added Milan to the Carolingian empire. During Barbarossa´s (Frederik I) "Italian Campaigns" Milan was taken and destroyed to a great extent. The "Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio" is much older and was not destroyed by Barbarossa´s troops. It is one of the most ancient churches in Milan, built by St. Ambrose in 379–386, outside the city of Milan on the site of a cemetery, where the martyrs of the Roman persecutions had been buried. The first name of the church was "Basilica Martyrum". Ambrose, born into a noble family about 340 in (present-day) Trier (Germany), was governor of Liguria and Emilia for two years before he became the Bishop of Milan in 374 by popular acclamation. He was a staunch opponent of Arianism. Only very few traces of the first church can still be found, as in the centuries after its construction, the basilica underwent numerous restorations and reconstructions. The current Romanesque church, mostly built in brickwork, was begun around 1080. In 789, a Benedictine monastery was established here. The canons of the basilica, however, retained their own community. So two separate communities shared the basilica. In the 11th century, the canons adopted orders and became Canons Regular. From then on two separate monastic orders following different rules lived in the basilica. The canons were in the northern building, the cloister of the canons, while the monks were in the two southern buildings. The two towers symbolize the division in the basilica. The 9th century Torre dei Monaci ("Tower of the Monks") tower was used by the monks. However, the canons did not have a bell tower and were not allowed to ring bells until they finished the Canons' bell tower in the 12th Century. This tower got two additional levels in 1889. In 1943 the basilica got severely damaged by bombings. It took a decade to rebuilt and reconstruct the church. The large apse was built, when Angilberto II (+859) was bishop here. The mosaic was done at that time (but later "renovated"). Christ in Majesty flanked by martyrs Protasio and Gervasio and the Archangels Michael and Gabriele. Gervasio and Gabriele are on the right side - and not ti be seen from this pov. To the left a scene from the miraculous life of Saint Ambrose.

The nave and this portal is all of the once Romanesque church that survived the times. The original church was erected within the 12th century, so the carvings seen here more than 800 years old. While the lintel is nearly weathered away the tympanum is still in good state.

The enigmatic church Notre-Dame de Vals towers over the tiny village of Vals (pop 90). The church, that is partly "troglodyte", carved into the giant rock, has three levels. The oldest part, called "the crypt", probably dates to the 9th or 10th century. Most surprising here are frescoes, discovered under several layers of plaster in 1952. They are dated to around 1100/1120 and meanwhile got restaurated.

End of the 8th century a monastery existed here, owning the relics of Saint Kastulus, that had been "translated" to Moosburg from Rome. This monastery was converted into a collegiate, after the last Benedictian monks had moved to Weihenstephan Abbey in 1021. After the old abbey church had collapsed the erection of a new church started in 1170. This was done under the guidance of Albert I. (aka Adalbert I.), the Bishop of Freising and so there are many parallels between these two large structures. The Freising Cathedral was the first large brick building in Bavaria (after the Romans had left) - and St. Kastulus in Moosburg was the second. The western portal of St. Kastulus, known as "Adalbert-Portal", was carved before 1212. It was made from the same sandstones as the little older portal of the Scots Monastery in Regensburg - and the carvers probably knew that masterpiece. According to Gottfried Weber ("Die Romanik in Oberbayern") this portal in Moosburg is one of the greatest works of Romanesque art in Bavaria. A "Christ in Majesty" seated on a throne in a blessing gesture between Alpha and Omega. He is flanked by four persons, that are "named". From left - HAINRICUS IMP(er)ATOR = Henry II (Heinrich II), Holy Roman Emperor. His father was Henry II, Duke of Bavaria, called "the wrangler". Henry II enabled the conversion from a Benedictian monastery to a noble Collegiate in 1021, so what he is holding is probably the charter. - SCA (SAN) THEOTOKOS (Greek letters) = God-Bearer = Virgin Mary. - CASTVLVS MARTYR = Saint Castulus, martyred in the 3. century. His relics are in this church, he is the patron saint of Moosbach. As a martyr he holds a palm leaf. - ADELBERTVS EP(iscopu)C = Bishop of Freising Adalbert I, he is on his knees offering a model of this church. I could not decipher/translate the two long lines below. Have a try!

The former collegiate church Saint-Aignan was built from the early 11th to the early 13th century, so there is a transition from Romanesque to early Gothic style. The church replaced a chapel from the 9th century and was a center of pilgrimage, as the relics of Saint Aignan of Orlean (+ 453) were venerated here. The church was ruined for a long time and got renovated and restored during the 19th century. During the renovation of the nave at least some parts got recreated. Fortunately the ambulatory crypt, the oldest part of the collegiate church SaThe former collegiate church Saint-Aignan was built from the early 11th to the early 13th century, so there is a transition from Romanesque to early Gothic style. The church replaced a chapel from the 9th century and was a center of pilgrimage, as the relics of Saint Aignan of Orlean (+ 453) were venerated here. The church was ruined for a long time and got renovated and restored during the 19th century. During the renovation of the nave at least some parts got recreated. Fortunately the ambulatory crypt, the oldest part of the collegiate church Saint-Aignan, got not renovated like the nave. It stayed pretty much intact and has frescoes dating back to the 12th and 13th century. Here is the apse of the crypt´s central chapel - and a Christ Pantocrator ("Christ in Majesty") in a mandorla.int-Aignan, got not renovated like the nave. It stayed pretty much intact and has frescoes dating back to the 12th and 13th century. Here is the apse of the crypt´s central chapel - and a Christ Pantocrator ("Christ in Majesty") in a mandorla.

Notre-Dame la Grande, a former collegiate church, was completed within the 11th century. The church replaced an older one, known since the 9th century. It got enlarged by two spans (and a fantastic facade) within the first half of the 12th century, but the largest part of the nave is 11th century. The large (but faint) fresco over the apse was created in the 11th century. Christ in Majesty (in a double mandorla) - and the 12 apostles.

Moradillo de Sedano is a small hamlet, about 50kms north of Burgos. The "Iglesia de San Esteban" was built on a little hill. Following an inscription, the church was completed in 1188. The church has been enlarged during the 14th century, when a Gothic apse was added. A recently added porch protects the southern portal. Here are the tympanum and the archivolts. Christ (Pantocrator) is seated in the center of an oval mandorla on a sculptured throne (lions). Around him are four angels holding the evangelists´ symbols, flanked by St. Peter and St. Paul. Around the two halfs of the mandorla runs an inscription, that reads "vicit leo de tribu iuda, radix David, alelluia". There are three archivolts. The outer one has floral patterns, the middle one a mixture of mythical beasts and biblical scenes, while the inner one is populated by the 24 crowned Elders of the Apocalypse. There are twelve on either sides plus one angel in the center. Here are four of the Elders.

Moradillo de Sedano is a small hamlet, about 50kms north of Burgos. The "Iglesia de San Esteban" was built on a little hill. Following an inscription, the church was completed in 1188. The church has been enlarged during the 14th century, when a Gothic apse was added. A recently added porch protects the southern portal. Here are the tympanum and the archivolts. Christ (Pantocrator) is seated in the center of an oval mandorla on a sculptured throne (lions). Around him are four angels holding the evangelists´ symbols, flanked by St. Peter and St. Paul. Around the two halfs of the mandorla runs an inscription, that reads "vicit leo de tribu iuda, radix David, alelluia". There are three archivolts. The outer one has floral patterns, the middle one a mixture of mythical beasts and biblical scenes, while the inner one is populated by the 24 crowned Elders of the Apocalypse. There are twelve on either sides plus one angel in the center.

Late afternoon in Solignac, where a convent had been founded mid 7th century by Saint Eloi ("Saint Eligius"), who was a kind of senior adviser for the Merovingian kings Clotaire II and his son Dagobert I, the last of the Merovingian kings. The monastery thrived and soon more than 100 monks lived here. But during the 8th century it suffered from Saracen raids, followed by the Normans, who arrived here and looted the monastery a century later. When more and more pilgrims walked along the Via Lemovicensis, they all passed through here - and so the convent´s wealth and importance grew. Even a (still existing) bridge over the near river Briance got constructed during that time. The monks started the erection of the abbey-church, seen here, in the first decade of the 12th century. The structure was completed already about a century later. During the Hundred Years´ War the buildings of the abbey got partly destroyed, Calvinistic iconoclasts were here several times during the Wars of Religions. All formerly monastery buildings next to this church date back to the 18th century and now serve as a retirement home, only the impressive church survived the times and by now is well preserved. The side portal of the transept in the shadow of the bell tower. Above the door is a Christ in Majesty. Under the flanking arches only some traces of the apostles can be seen, as the sculptures got destroyed during the Wars of Religion.

Carennac is a very picturesque village perching above the banks of the Dordogne river. The village is one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de Franc". Not much seems to have changed within the last centuries. In 1047 a priory had been founded here, depending from the Benedictine abbey Saint-Pierre in Moissac and so woven into the "cluniac system". Saint-Pierre, now the parish church of Carennac, was erected within the 11th/12th century. An impressive tympanum was created in the second half of the 12th century. Here is the centre of that tympanum. Under the sun (?), Christ in Majesty sits enthroned in the centre of a large mandorla, one hand on the bible, the other in a blessing gestus. The Evangelists´ symbols flank the mandorla. The mandorla has many drilled holes, that may have been once bases for glass-stones, but that is unproven.

Carennac is a very picturesque village perching above the banks of the Dordogne river. The village is one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de Franc". Not much seems to have changed within the last centuries. In 1047 a priory had been founded here, depending from the Benedictine abbey Saint-Pierre in Moissac and so woven into the "cluniac system". Saint-Pierre, now the parish church of Carennac, was erected within the 11th/12th century. The impressive tympanum, seen here, was created in the second half of the 12th century. Christ in Majesty sits enthroned in the centre of a large mandorla, one hand on the bible, the other in a blessing gestus. The Evangelists´ symbols flank the mandorla. On either side are the Apostles, grouped pairs and obviously the Apostles are communicating. One statue is lost. On the bottom corners are two small monks (?), holding books. The mandorla has a row of drilled holes, that may have been once bases for glass-stones, but that is unproven. Note the nice lintel. There are animals, carved in a very different style.