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IMG 4953

IMG 4953

† Window 145 - North rose: Rose of France glorifying the Virgin (restored)

Virgin in center with Infant Jesus. Surrounded by four doves, four angels, and four Thrones. These are followed by twelve kings of Judah, Mary's ancestors. The outer ring contains twelve minor prophets.

The window was donated while Queen Blanche was regent of France (circa 1230). The arms of France alternating with Castile are seen below the rose itself. The entire ensemble is a none-too-subtle bit of royal propaganda, with Mary (the Queen of Heaven) at the center of it all. Note too that the figures below the rose in the lancets contrast a legitimate righteous sovereign with corrupt, foolish, or fallen ones. Blanche seems to have wanted no doubt about how she ought to be considered.

Album: Chartres-Cathedral

Categories: Chartres-Cathedral

Tags: #Blanche of Castille #Chartres #france #Jesus Christ #Mary #Mary enthroned in glory #TCS-photo #Win145 #angels #cathedral #Detail #donors identified #doves #kings of Judah #minor prophets #north side #restored #rose window #stained glass #thrones

Chartres South Exterior Slides 051

Chartres South Exterior Slides 051

Chartres, south side, left.

ARCHIVOLTS

Bottom row of the archivolt is Saint Stephen discussing with the Jews of the synagogue. He will be taken out and stoned in the lintel to the right (not shown).

• First (inner) archivolt - eight children, the Holy Innocents killed by Herod the Great at Bethlehem.
• Second - Six seated figures catch two streams of blood from a ram's head at the apex of the arch. (Refers to Revelation XXX).
• Third - Eight martyrs hold palms
• Fourth - Ten kings and bishops
• Fifth - Hierarchy of martyrs in twelve statues: levite, deacon, priest, abbot, bishop, with an emperor and pope paired at the top (to show their equality).

Album: Chartres-Cathedral

Categories: Chartres-Cathedral

Tags: #Chartres #france #TCS-photo #Archivolt #cathedral #date estimate #Detail #exterior #Left #martyrs #south side #unrestored

IMG 5088

IMG 5088

Window 038 - Charlemagne

Bottom to top, left to right:

[Spanish Crusades - from Chronicle of Pseudo-Turpin]

• Row 06: Charlemagne asks learned about Milky Way; Saint James the Major appears to Charlemagne in a dream, tells him to follow the Milky Way to Spain.
• Diamond 07: Army leaves on the Spanish Crusade, Archbishop Turpin of Rheims attends with Charlemagne.
• Row 08: Charlemagne prays prior to assaulting Pampulauna (Pamplona); Charlemagne takes the city from Moors.

Album: Chartres-Cathedral

Categories: Chartres-Cathedral

Tags: #Charlemagne #Chartres #france #Pamplona #Pampulauna #Spanish Crusade #TCS-photo #Win038 #astronomy #cathedral #Detail #miracles #relics #restored #stained glass