We Visit The Abbaye aux Hommes
A Medieval Promise Fulfilled and A Modern Treasure Continues
As has been recounted frequently, William the Conqueror was a faithful supporter of the church and a devout Catholic. Since he wished to marry Matilde, his second cousin, he sought the permission and the blessing of the Pope Alexander II a pious and fervent reformer. The Pope granted his permission and in return William and Matilde agreed to erect two abbeys in the city of Caen, one for women and one for men. Both were begun in 1066 and still stand today. In addition, the Pope granted William the Banner of St. Peter which he carried with him into battle at Hastings, England. In gratitude, William dedicated his new church to St. Peter. Thus in Caen, the abbey church is known to this day as L'Eglise Saint Pierre.
The interior courtyard (cloister) view of the Abbaye aux Hommes showing the slight differences between the two towers built in the Medieval style. Experts on this style of architecture ask that we no longer refer to this style as "Gothic" because they believe this term was invented to disparage the work done prior to the Renaissance and that it implies medieval architecture was primitive like the Goths.
Clearly, as we look at this massive and magnificent church, it is anything but "primitive", so we shall refer to it as medieval. It was begun in 1066, the same year William the Conqueror invaded England, and was essentially finished in the year 1068, although construction, additions, and finishing touches continued until the present.
The monastery and cloister were added at later dates. During the protestant revolt, it was damaged and by mobs and the tomb of William was desecrated by raiders hoping to find gold and treasure in his tomb. Finding none, they scattered his bone in Caen. Faithful Caenais located and saved as many of these as possible and reinterred them after the revolts were put down. Later, the church buildings became a lysee (high school) for boys, however.
The interior of the church of the Abbey aux homes reveals the intricacy of the compound arches called "voutres" of the ceiling which support the roof and help maintain the integrity of the structure created with nothing more than hand tools and skilled workmen. The large wooden pulpit behind the group and the guide, was removed during the protestant revolt and was only much later found in the home of a Caenaise who graciously re-donated it in pieces sot hat it could be rebuilt on site. However, the Biblical scenes carved into the panels of the pulpit were reassembled out of order. In the distance, in front of the main altar, resides the tomb of William the Conqueror.
Some of the students visiting the Abbaye aux Hommes pose before the grand staircase which has been recently renovated. The beauty of the Caen Stone walls can be easily seen in this photo. It may also be noted that the individual in the back row is not one of the students, but is a life-sized statue of William the Conqueror which used to stand in the wax museum at Madame Tusseau's.. It may also be noted that William looks a lot like Charlton Heston... who knew!
The nave of the church at L'Abbaye aux Hommes.
The previous monastery buildings are now used as the "Hotel de Ville" (City Hall)
of the city of Caen.
The tomb of William the Conqueror, whose final wish was to be buried in his native Normandy.
"Here is entombed William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, King of England, founder of this house (meeting house), who died in the year 1087."
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