Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Abbaye aux Dames

Rucqueville, a tiny village about 10 kms east of Bayeux, was a settlement already in gallo-roman times. Saint Pierre was erected end of the 11th century on older foundations. At that time, the place was owned by the abbey "Sainte Trinité" in Caen (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). This may explain why such an "expensive" church was built here. Saint Pierre houses some of the most elaborate capitals I found within the region. Medieval masters have worked here. Here is one of the eight capitals around the crossing. The Magi adorating. Behind Mary is a kind of diamond-patterned decoration (tapestry?).

Rucqueville, a tiny village about 10 kms east of Bayeux, was a settlement already in gallo-roman times. Saint Pierre was erected end of the 11th century on older foundations. At that time, the place was owned by the abbey "Sainte Trinité" in Caen (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). This may explain why such an "expensive" church was built here. Saint Pierre houses some of the most elaborate capitals I found within the region. Medieval masters have worked here. Here is one of the eight capitals around the crossing. The "Flight to Egypt".

Rucqueville, a tiny village about 10 kms east of Bayeux, was a settlement already in gallo-roman times. Saint Pierre was erected end of the 11th century on older foundations. At that time, the place was owned by the abbey "Sainte Trinité" in Caen (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). This may explain why such an "expensive" church was built here. Saint Pierre houses some of the most elaborate capitals I found within the region. Medieval masters have worked here. Here is one of the eight capitals around the crossing, depicting sceptical Thomas. John 20:24-29 "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

Rucqueville, a tiny village about 10 kms east of Bayeux, was a settlement already in gallo-roman times. Saint Pierre was erected end of the 11th century on older foundations. At that time, the place was owned by the abbey "Sainte Trinité" in Caen (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). This may explain why such an "expensive" church was built here. Saint Pierre houses some of the most elaborate capitals I found within the region. Medieval masters have worked here. Here is one of the eight capitals all around the crossing. Two angels (at the corners) lift up a soul (in the mandorla) to heaven. The ugly little devil, holding his torture-fork, is left with nothing.

Rucqueville, a tiny village about 10 kms east of Bayeux, was a settlement already in gallo-roman times. Saint Pierre was erected end of the 11th century on older foundations. At that time, the place was owned by the abbey "Sainte Trinité" in Caen (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). This may explain why such an "expensive" church was built here. Saint Pierre houses some of the most elaborate capitals I found within the region. Medieval masters have worked here. Here is the crossing, the church was modified a couple of times and got a pointed arch, but the capitals stayed "in situ" as seen here.

Rucqueville, a tiny village about 10 kms east of Bayeux, was a settlement already in gallo-roman times. Saint Pierre was erected end of the 11th century on older foundations. At that time, the place was owned by the abbey "Sainte Trinité" in Caen (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). This may explain why such an "expensive" church was built here. Saint Pierre, looking not spectacular from outside, houses some of the nicest and most elaborate capitals I found within the region. Medieval masters have worked here.

Caen was a settlement already in Roman times, but prospered, when William the Conqueror (aka "William the Bastard") built a castle here. When William married Matilda of Flanders (~ 1051) a papal ban was issued at the Council of Reims on the grounds of consanguinity. In 1059 Pope Nicholas awarded dispensation, after William and Matilda agreed to found two monasteries as penance. William founded the Abbey of Saint-Etienne (aka "Abbaye aux Hommes"), Matilda founded with here husband´s support the Abbey Sainte-Trinité (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). The erection of both abbeys started in Caen around 1060. The community of nuns was suppressed by the French Revolution. In 1823 the local authorities transferred the ancient Hôtel-Dieu to the former cloister for use as a hospital, and the canonesses regular established themselves there. The canonesses continued to operate until 1908 when the facility was transferred into a nursing home. The former abbey church Sainte-Trinité now serves the parish. Most of the former conventual buildings like the former cloister now houses the offices of the "conseil régional" for the "Basse Normandie". www.region-basse-normandie.fr/le-conseil-regional

Caen was a settlement already in Roman times, but prospered, when William the Conqueror (aka "William the Bastard") built a castle here. When William married Matilda of Flanders (~ 1051) a papal ban was issued at the Council of Reims on the grounds of consanguinity. In 1059 Pope Nicholas awarded dispensation, after William and Matilda agreed to found two monasteries as penance. William founded the Abbey of Saint-Etienne (aka "Abbaye aux Hommes"), Matilda founded with here husband´s support the Abbey Sainte-Trinité (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). The erection of both abbeys started in Caen around 1060. The community of nuns was suppressed by the French Revolution. In 1823 the local authorities transferred the ancient Hôtel-Dieu to the former cloister for use as a hospital, and the canonesses regular established themselves there. The canonesses continued to operate until 1908 when the facility was transferred into a nursing home. The former abbey church Sainte-Trinité now serves the parish. Long rows of corbels line the sidewall of the basilica-style church. Here is a pilgrim (?) with a pretty long beard.

Caen was a settlement already in Roman times, but prospered, when William the Conqueror (aka "William the Bastard") built a castle here. When William married Matilda of Flanders (~ 1051) a papal ban was issued at the Council of Reims on the grounds of consanguinity. In 1059 Pope Nicholas awarded dispensation, after William and Matilda agreed to found two monasteries as penance. William founded the Abbey of Saint-Etienne (aka "Abbaye aux Hommes"), Matilda founded with here husband´s support the Abbey Sainte-Trinité (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). The erection of both abbeys started in Caen around 1060. The community of nuns was suppressed by the French Revolution. In 1823 the local authorities transferred the ancient Hôtel-Dieu to the former cloister for use as a hospital, and the canonesses regular established themselves there. The canonesses continued to operate until 1908 when the facility was transferred into a nursing home. The former abbey church Sainte-Trinité now serves the parish. Long rows of corbels line the sidewall of the basilica-style church. Here is a very strange one. A nude male - with a tail? Arms that end snakelike? A head like a skull?

Caen was a settlement already in Roman times, but prospered, when William the Conqueror (aka "William the Bastard") built a castle here. When William married Matilda of Flanders (~ 1051) a papal ban was issued at the Council of Reims on the grounds of consanguinity. In 1059 Pope Nicholas awarded dispensation, after William and Matilda agreed to found two monasteries as penance. William founded the Abbey of Saint-Etienne (aka "Abbaye aux Hommes"), Matilda founded with here husband´s support the Abbey Sainte-Trinité (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). The erection of both abbeys started in Caen around 1060. The community of nuns was suppressed by the French Revolution. In 1823 the local authorities transferred the ancient Hôtel-Dieu to the former cloister for use as a hospital, and the canonesses regular established themselves there. The canonesses continued to operate until 1908 when the facility was transferred into a nursing home. The former abbey church Sainte-Trinité now serves the parish. Long rows of corbels line the sidewall of the basilica-style church. Note the head with the mustache), devouring a soul. An anglo-saxon devil?

Caen was a settlement already in Roman times, but prospered, when William the Conqueror (aka "William the Bastard") built a castle here. When William married Matilda of Flanders (~ 1051) a papal ban was issued at the Council of Reims on the grounds of consanguinity. In 1059 Pope Nicholas awarded dispensation, after William and Matilda agreed to found two monasteries as penance. William founded the Abbey of Saint-Etienne (aka "Abbaye aux Hommes"), Matilda founded with here husband´s support the Abbey Sainte-Trinité (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). The erection of both abbeys started in Caen around 1060. The community of nuns was suppressed by the French Revolution. In 1823 the local authorities transferred the ancient Hôtel-Dieu to the former cloister for use as a hospital, and the canonesses regular established themselves there. The canonesses continued to operate until 1908 when the facility was transferred into a nursing home. The former abbey church Sainte-Trinité now serves the parish. Long rows of corbels line the sidewall of the basilica-style church.

Caen was a settlement already in Roman times, but prospered, when William the Conqueror (aka "William the Bastard") built a castle here. When William married Matilda of Flanders (~ 1051) a papal ban was issued at the Council of Reims on the grounds of consanguinity. In 1059 Pope Nicholas awarded dispensation, after William and Matilda agreed to found two monasteries as penance. William founded the Abbey of Saint-Etienne (aka "Abbaye aux Hommes"), Matilda founded with here husband´s support the Abbey Sainte-Trinité (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). The erection of both abbeys started in Caen around 1060. The community of nuns was suppressed by the French Revolution. In 1823 the local authorities transferred the ancient Hôtel-Dieu to the former cloister for use as a hospital, and the canonesses regular established themselves there. The canonesses continued to operate until 1908 when the facility was transferred into a nursing home. The former abbey church Sainte-Trinité now serves the parish. Long rows of corbels line the sidewall of the basilica-style church. The crossing tower is in the background.

Caen was a settlement already in Roman times, but prospered, when William the Conqueror (aka "William the Bastard") built a castle here. When William married Matilda of Flanders (~ 1051) a papal ban was issued at the Council of Reims on the grounds of consanguinity. In 1059 Pope Nicholas awarded dispensation, after William and Matilda agreed to found two monasteries as penance. William founded the Abbey of Saint-Etienne (aka "Abbaye aux Hommes"), Matilda founded with here husband´s support the Abbey Sainte-Trinité (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). The erection of both abbeys started in Caen around 1060. The community of nuns was suppressed by the French Revolution. In 1823 the local authorities transferred the ancient Hôtel-Dieu to the former cloister for use as a hospital, and the canonesses regular established themselves there. The canonesses continued to operate until 1908 when the facility was transferred into a nursing home. The former abbey church Sainte-Trinité now serves the parish. Here are three capitals from the nave of Sainte-Trinité. Of course, there are not only beards and mustaches (see previous upload) on the nave´s capitals. There are many rams too. If the bearded faces can be interpreted as "trophies" (after the Battle of Hastings), the rams may be connected to the pagan celtic mythology, standing for the God Toutatis/Teutates.

Caen was a settlement already in Roman times, but prospered, when William the Conqueror (aka "William the Bastard") built a castle here. When William married Matilda of Flanders (~ 1051) a papal ban was issued at the Council of Reims on the grounds of consanguinity. In 1059 Pope Nicholas awarded dispensation, after William and Matilda agreed to found two monasteries as penance. William founded the Abbey of Saint-Etienne (aka "Abbaye aux Hommes"), Matilda founded with here husband´s support the Abbey Sainte-Trinité (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). The erection of both abbeys started in Caen around 1060. The community of nuns was suppressed by the French Revolution. In 1823 the local authorities transferred the ancient Hôtel-Dieu to the former cloister for use as a hospital, and the canonesses regular established themselves there. The canonesses continued to operate until 1908 when the facility was transferred into a nursing home. The former abbey church Sainte-Trinité now serves the parish. Here are three capitals from the nave of Sainte-Trinité. Many faces here have bulging eyes and extraordinary beards / mustaches. Was this a "Norman" fashion? Most Normans seen on the Bayeux Tapestry (aka "Tapisserie de la reine Mathilde") are clean shaven. William the Conqueror has no beard, but his opponent Edward the Confessor wears a beard, as well as Harold II (aka "Harold Godwinson"), Edward's successor. So maybe these beards were fashion of the Anglo Saxons, beaten by William in the Battle of Hastings.

Caen was a settlement already in Roman times, but prospered, when William the Conqueror (aka "William the Bastard") built a castle here. When William married Matilda of Flanders (~ 1051) a papal ban was issued at the Council of Reims on the grounds of consanguinity. In 1059 Pope Nicholas awarded dispensation, after William and Matilda agreed to found two monasteries as penance. William founded the Abbey of Saint-Etienne (aka "Abbaye aux Hommes"), Matilda founded with here husband´s support the Abbey Sainte-Trinité (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). The erection of both abbeys started in Caen around 1060. The community of nuns was suppressed by the French Revolution. In 1823 the local authorities transferred the ancient Hôtel-Dieu to the former cloister for use as a hospital, and the canonesses regular established themselves there. The canonesses continued to operate until 1908 when the facility was transferred into a nursing home. The former abbey church Sainte-Trinité now serves the parish. Seen here is the grave of "Reine Mathilda", wife of William the Conqueror. Matilda was crowned Queen in 1068 and mother of nine kids, including two kings, William II and Henry I, and Cecilia, who was abbess of this monastery. Mathilda died in November 1083 and was buried here. Her husband died in 1087. His grave is in the choir of Saint-Etienne, once the abbey-church of the Abbaye aux Hommes, less than a kilometer away. Matilda´s tomb was vandalized during the Wars of Religions and later again during the French Revolution. Now the black slab, that marks the grave, is protected by safety glass.

Caen was a settlement already in Roman times, but prospered, when William the Conqueror (aka "William the Bastard") built a castle here. When William married Matilda of Flanders (~ 1051) a papal ban was issued at the Council of Reims on the grounds of consanguinity. In 1059 Pope Nicholas awarded dispensation, after William and Matilda agreed to found to monasteries as penance. William founded the Abbey of Saint-Etienne (aka "Abbaye aux Hommes"), Matilda founded with here husband´s support the Abbey Sainte-Trinité (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). The erection of both abbeys started in Caen around 1060. The community of nuns was suppressed by the French Revolution. In 1823 the local authorities transferred the ancient Hôtel-Dieu to the former cloister for use as a hospital, and the canonesses regular established themselves there. The canonesses continued to operate until 1908 when the facility was transferred into a nursing home. The former abbey church Sainte-Trinité now serves the parish. The vault, seen here, was rebuilt in 1865. During the Battle of Normandy in WW2 an intense bombing campaign destroyed much of Caen. Sainte-Trinité was severely damaged by the bombing, but got rebuilt. The last restauration campaign took place in the 1990s.

Caen was a settlement already in Roman times, but prospered, when William the Conqueror (aka "William the Bastard") built a castle here. When William married Matilda of Flanders (~ 1051) a papal ban was issued at the Council of Reims on the grounds of consanguinity. In 1059 Pope Nicholas awarded dispensation, after William and Matilda agreed to found to monasteries as penance. William founded the Abbey of Saint-Etienne (aka "Abbaye aux Hommes"), Matilda founded with here husband´s support the Abbey Sainte-Trinité (aka "Abbaye aux Dames"). The erection of both abbeys started in Caen around 1060. The community of nuns was suppressed by the French Revolution. In 1823 the local authorities transferred the ancient Hôtel-Dieu to the former cloister for use as a hospital, and the canonesses regular established themselves there. The canonesses continued to operate until 1908 when the facility was transferred into a nursing home. The former abbey church Sainte-Trinité now serves the parish. In medieval times the facade had two spires, that got destroyed already during the 100 Years War.

Since 1104 a priory existed here, depending from the Abbaye aux Dames in Saintes. The erection of the church was completed in 1200 - and by now is the parish church for the population of Corme-Écluse. All other building, that belonged to the priory are lost. Notre Dame has a wonderful facade, a perfect example of the "style saintongeais". The carvings here are delicate like fine lace. Notre Dame has a wonderful facade, a perfect example of the "style saintongeais". The carvings are delicate like fine lace. There are some extraordenary corbels here, what is no suprise, having seen the portal. I am actually not sure, what is depicted on this corbel. A mother holding a child? Pretty large head for a child. The person is obviously placed in a kind of basket. Where are the legs?