Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: battue

consecrated by Pope Calixtus II in 1119. The same pope, who two years later could imprison his rival "Antipope" Gregory VIII. Four years later, Calixtus ended the Investiture Controversy by agreeing with Emperor Henry V on the Concordat of Worms. During the times of medieval pilgrimage this cathedral was an important place on the "Via Podiensis", as the "Sainte Coiffe" could be venerated here. This "Holy Headdress" was believed to have been used during Jesus' burial. It had been given to Aymatus, Bishop of Cahors, by Charlemagne. A relic similar to the "Shroud of Turin". On the northern side of the cathedral and intricate Romanesque portal faces the "Via Podiensis". This was what the pilgrims saw first - and this portal they used entering the basilica. The carvings are very soft and elegant. The tympanum depicts Christ in a mandorla, surrounded by angles. Very interesting are the archivolts. One of them is populated with hunters and craftsmen. A helper at a battue. His task is, to scare the animals by blowing the horn and beating sticks into an ambush.

Saillac, a small village south of Collonges-la-Rouge, has a remarkable parish church. Saint Jean Baptist was originally built within the 12th century. Though the church got fortified later, it suffered a lot of damage during the Wars of Religion and the French Revolution. What can be seen today is the result of major renovations carried out during the 19th and 20th century. The polychrome tympanum that survived the times dpicts the Adoration of the Magi (see previous uploads). The lintel is supported by a trumeau with twisted bands of hounds chasing a deer. Here is a detail. Actually this is a battue, here is one of the hunters´ helper - and the deer. The helper´s task is to frighten the game with the flag and chase it to the hunter. The information given locally calls this style "languedocien". It is an interesting work, but may be added within the last century.