C'est Anne-Laure qui nous présentait l'intérieur de l'Eglise de Nantilly. Voici sa visite en anglais, mais pas de panique elle vous a mis tout le vocabulaire un peu compliqué pour faciliter la compréhension ! Enjoy it ! (par contre va falloir que je trouve une autre formule que "Enjoy it", je deviens répétitif lol)
...
EARLY 12th CENTURY
The nave was built in the early 12th Century. It is
It’s an exceptional wide vessel with pointed tunnel vaulting (vaisseau vouté en berceau brisé).
The nave is reinforced by big transverse ribs (arcs doubleaux). Those transverse ribs rest on columns witch are leaning against pillars. And pillars go on beyond thick walls to continue outside with heavy buttresses.
Pillars are linked each to the other by arcades like bridges: that’s why, only pillars receive vault pressure.
This type of structure allowed making holes in the south wall, to create a communication between the nave of the 12th century and the aisle of the 15th century.
Perhaps have you notice an astonishing light for a Romanesque church; it’s because of this opening of the 15th century.
Let’s talk about capitals.3 themes are evoked:
-Intertwined leaves (or vegetal)
-Mythical monsters, such as griffons (at the beginning of the nave)
-2 historiated capitals
Historiated capitals:
1) On the first one we can see a priest, certainly the abbot of saint Florent. He is officiating with his hands raised. He is assisted by 3 men.2 are bearing the wine and the water to celebrate the mass. The 3rd one gets the abbatial stick.
2) The second capital represents a knight with a halo (couronne). He is killing down a dragon.
A falconer is next to the knight in order to show is high social class. It could be Saint Georges the patron saint of knights.
Those 2 capitals symbolise the 2 powers that organised the rural world in the Middle Age: The clergy with the priest and the nobles with the knight.
A chancel arch (arc triomphale) shows the limit between the nave and the sanctuary.
At the beginning of the vault of this arch, we can see an atlante also called “support of the church”.
2nd half of the 12th Century
The choir dates from the 2nd half 12th century, it’s a place of pray for the clergy; that’s why it seems to be more intimate compared to the nave.
The choir is less high and it’s only
We can notice that the architecture is lighten compared to the nave. Columns and pillars are thinner and openings are numerous. We can also notice that the wall is less thick.
The choir finished by a quarter of sphere or half dome vault (cul de four).
Stained glass windows: In the 19th century the importance of the cult of the Virgin Mary is increasing. In France at that time, a lot of apparitions occurred: Lourdes (1858), Rue du Bac in Paris (1830)…That’s why, at that time, in a lot of churches stained glass windows are dedicated to our lady. Those one (of the choir) dates from 1862.
Stalls dates from the 17th century. The thirty stalls get Miserere (miséricordes) with sometimes surprising decorations: EX, a man who is hangs over (sur la gauche face à l’abside).
13th Century
The transept crossing was built in the 13th Century. Big pillars were added at that time certainly to support a new steeple (clocher) or bell tower. The transept crossing is narrower than the nave. It’s composed of a ribbed Romanesque cupola (coupole nervée).
Early 15th Century
Look at transept vaults, they are not the same as the crossing transept; indeed the transept was rebuilt in the 15th century it’s composed of cross rib vault (voute sur croisée d’ogive). Vaults are thinner than the choir or the transept crossing.
Another difference could be notice: in the transept, there are very large stained glass windows with bar tracery (remplage). This type of architecture is typical of the gothic style.
The statue of the Virgin Mary in majesty with Jesus is certainly the oldest work of the church. It’s a 12th century statue in polychrome wood. This representation of Mary was at the origin of the pilgrimage and adored (ou worshiped) during centuries.
Passage omis lors de la visite:
If you look toward the other transept, you can see the stained glass window representing the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. On the right you can see the discovering of the empty bed by 2 men. In the centre: the elevation in the sky.
2nd half 15th century
The aisle was built in the 2nd half 15th century and ordered by king Louis the 11th .You can notice his coat of arms with 3 fleur de
At this time, the king wanted to finance churches witch were dedicated to Our Lady.
The aisle was built next to the nave, so it was necessary to empty out big nave’s arcades.
Between pillars you can read poem writing by king René to Thiéphaine
On the north part of the church (à gauche en entrant), there is a set of pillars, walls and buttresses witch is about
On the south part with the aisle, you can see a thin wall with large flamboyant openings.
There bar tracery look like flames. This similarity gives its name to the flamboyant gothic style.==15th
The vessel of the aisle is covering of cross rib vaults. We have an impression of continuity because each part of the aisle (chaque travée) is linked one to the other by Liernes (rib of stone witch draw straight line all along the aisle). Liernes relies keystones. On each keystone there are coats of arms. At the beginning of the aisle, we can see St Michel coat of arms.
The oratory of Louis the 11 is in flamboyant style (with lot of details around the opening). It was built with the aisle (15th). It’s not a chapel because there is no altar. It’s a place of meditation. Now days the place is token up by Baptismal fonts.
The theme of baptism allows me to show you this bas-relief (ou law-relief) of
Lexique récapitulatif:
Pointed tunnel vaulting: vaisseau vouté en berceau brisé
Transverse ribs: arcs doubleau
Halo: couronne
Chancel arch: arc triomphal
Quarter of sphere or half dome vault: cul de four
Miserere: miséricordes
Steeple: clocher
Bar tracery: remplage
Ribbed: Romanesque cupola: coupole nervée.
Cross rib vault: voute sur croisée d’ogives
Pilasters: pilastres
