Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Lusignan

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as once upon a time Prince Raymond of Poitou and Fairy Melusine founded the dynasty. The family resided in a castle, that in medieval times was one of the largest in France. The ruins of the castle got demolished in the 19th century, but this church, founded by Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, in 1024 just opposite the castle still exists. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. It got already seriously damaged during a conflict between the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lusignan in 1168. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. This side portal is - for me - the most interesting piece of medieval art in Lusignan. Find the elephant on the left - and the camel on the right. As I have taken detailed photos here already some years ago, I will not add more. Just follow this link: www.ipernity.com/search/photo?opt=&q=Notre-Dame+et+Saint-Junien&w=323415&t=0&lic=&s=0

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as once upon a time Prince Raymond of Poitou and Fairy Melusine founded the dynasty. The family resided in a castle, that in medieval times was one of the largest in France. The ruins of the castle got demolished in the 19th century, but this church, founded by Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, in 1024 just opposite the castle still exists. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. It got already seriously damaged during a conflict between the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lusignan in 1168. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. An elegant mermaid holding a mirror. A symbol of vanity.

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as once upon a time Prince Raymond of Poitou and Fairy Melusine founded the dynasty. The family resided in a castle, that in medieval times was one of the largest in France. The ruins of the castle got demolished in the 19th century, but this church, founded by Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, in 1024 just opposite the castle still exists. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. It got already seriously damaged during a conflict between the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lusignan in 1168. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. Two griffins (with one head) hold a chalice, probably a variation of the two birds drinking from a chalice.

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as once upon a time Prince Raymond of Poitou and Fairy Melusine founded the dynasty. The family resided in a castle, that in medieval times was one of the largest in France. The ruins of the castle got demolished in the 19th century, but this church, founded by Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, in 1024 just opposite the castle still exists. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. It got already seriously damaged during a conflict between the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lusignan in 1168. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. A small stair leads down into the crypt under the choir. The crypt was erected, before the construction of the choir above started, so these pillars can probably dated to around 1040/1050.

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as once upon a time Prince Raymond of Poitou and Fairy Melusine founded the dynasty. The family resided in a castle, that in medieval times was one of the largest in France. The ruins of the castle got demolished in the 19th century, but this church, founded by Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, in 1024 just opposite the castle still exists. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. It got already seriously damaged during a conflict between the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lusignan in 1168. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. A small stair leads down into the crypt under the choir. It was pretty dark - and there was no switch (previous photo) ... what was wrong ... on my way back I found it

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as once upon a time Prince Raymond of Poitou and Fairy Melusine founded the dynasty. The family resided in a castle, that in medieval times was one of the largest in France. The ruins of the castle got demolished in the 19th century, but this church, founded by Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, in 1024 just opposite the castle still exists. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. It got already seriously damaged during a conflict between the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lusignan in 1168. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. A small stair leads down into the crypt under the choir. It was pretty dark - and there was no switch..

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as once upon a time Prince Raymond of Poitou and Fairy Melusine founded the dynasty. The family resided in a castle, that in medieval times was one of the largest in France. The ruins of the castle got demolished in the 19th century, but this church, founded by Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, in 1024 just opposite the castle still exists. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. It got already seriously damaged during a conflict between the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lusignan in 1168. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. Near the crossing is a pride of slender and very flexible lions.

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as once upon a time Prince Raymond of Poitou and Fairy Melusine founded the dynasty. The family resided in a castle, that in medieval times was one of the largest in France. The ruins of the castle got demolished in the 19th century, but this church, founded by Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, in 1024 just opposite the castle still exists. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. It got already seriously damaged during a conflict between the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lusignan in 1168. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. The lions on the capitals are slender and very flexible.

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as once upon a time Prince Raymond of Poitou and Fairy Melusine founded the dynasty. The family resided in a castle, that in medieval times was one of the largest in France. The ruins of the castle got demolished in the 19th century, but this church, founded by Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, in 1024 just opposite the castle still exists. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. It got already seriously damaged during a conflict between the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lusignan in 1168. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired.

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as once upon a time Prince Raymond of Poitou and Fairy Melusine founded the dynasty. The family resided in a castle, that in medieval times was one of the largest in France. The ruins of the castle got demolished in the 19th century, but this church, founded by Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, in 1024 just opposite the castle still exists. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. It got already seriously damaged during a conflict between the House of Plantagenet and the House of Lusignan in 1168. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired.

Lusignan was the home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan") an old noble family deeply rooted in medieval legends, as Prince Raymond of Poitou married Fairy Melusine. They had ten children - and so founded this dynasty. "Les halles", built in 1853, are impressing 33 meters long and 16 meters wide. They replaced a medieval market hall. Mid 19th century the very most "new" market halls were metal constructions, so this was a very "traditional" structure at that time.

Approaching Lusignan, former home of the "Maison de Lusignan" ("House of Lusignan" an old noble family deeply rooted in the medieval legends. Prince Raymond of Poitou married Fairy Melusine (we just met both at the fountain). They had ten children - and so founded this dynasty. Actually Melusine was very popular. The House of Plantagenet also claims ancestry from Melusine.

Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, founded this church opposite his castle in 1024. Legends tell, that the castle was built by Mélusine, a legendary water nymph, for her noble husband. I had met her already in Pathenay. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. The In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, led by Bertrand Du Guesclin, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. The most interesting work of art (for me) in Lusignan is the nothern portal, seen here. It once opened to a small priory, dependent of the Benedictian Abbey Saint-Junien in Nouaillé-Maupertuis (30kms west), that existed already in Carolingian times. The 23 carved stones around the 12 c. portal depict a medieval bestiary. Here is the right part of the semicircle. A person with the walking stick (pilgrim?), a horse, a pig, a sitting or cowering person (naked?), an animal (hare?) and a dromedar. The Lords of Lusignan knew dromedars, as some of them made careers in the Crusades. Guy of Lusignan and his younger brother Amalric were kings of the crusader state of Jerusalem and of Cyprus.

Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, founded this church opposite his castle in 1024. Legends tell, that the castle was built by Mélusine, a legendary water nymph, for her noble husband. I had met her already in Pathenay. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. The In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, led by Bertrand Du Guesclin, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. The most interesting work of art (for me) in Lusignan is the nothern portal, seen here. It once opened to a small priory, dependent of the Benedictian Abbey Saint-Junien in Nouaillé-Maupertuis (30kms west), that existed already in Carolingian times. The 23 carved stones around the 12 c. portal depict a medieval bestiary. A close-up of the elephant, just seen with its neighbours. Most medieval elephants are carved in pairs, posing head to head. This one is portrayed in profile. It is hard to recognize, but the elephant is "dressed" like all elephants I saw so far in the Poitou.

Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, founded this church opposite his castle in 1024. Legends tell, that the castle was built by Mélusine, a legendary water nymph, for her noble husband. I had met her already in Pathenay. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. The In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, led by Bertrand Du Guesclin, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. The most interesting work of art (for me) in Lusignan is the nothern portal, seen here. It once opened to a small priory, dependent of the Benedictian Abbey Saint-Junien in Nouaillé-Maupertuis (30kms west), that existed already in Carolingian times. The 23 carved stones around the 12 c. portal depict a medieval bestiary. Here is the center part of the semicircle. A runner or dancer, a standing person, a human face with a long beard, a branch with leaves (?) ( not a seahorse!), a fish, a snakelike creature with two small forelegs, a fourlegged animal, a person with a walking stick (pilgrim?).

Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, founded this church opposite his castle in 1024. Legends tell, that the castle was built by Mélusine, a legendary water nymph, for her noble husband. I had met her already in Pathenay. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. The In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, led by Bertrand Du Guesclin, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. A small stair, just outside the apse, leads down to the large crypt under the choir. The floor is slippery and it is dark, dampish. There is a smell - moldy.The crypt, that dates back to the first building phase (12c), definitely needs some TLC.

Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, founded this church opposite his castle in 1024. Legends tell, that the castle was built by Mélusine, a legendary water nymph, for her noble husband. I had met her already in Pathenay. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, led by Bertrand Du Guesclin, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired.

Hugh IV, Lord of Lusignan, founded this church opposite his castle in 1024. Legends tell, that the castle was built by Mélusine, a legendary water nymph, for her noble husband. I had met her already in Pathenay. The church was completed in the early 12th century, but underwent a number of alterations over the century. The In 1373, during the 100 Years´ War English troops seized Lusignan, during the siege and the reconquest, led by Bertrand Du Guesclin, the tower - and the vaults collapsed. Already four years later, the damages were repaired. The most interesting work of art (for me) in Lusignan is the nothern portal, seen here. It once opened to a small priory, dependent of the Benedictian Abbey Saint-Junien in Nouaillé-Maupertuis (30kms west), that existed already in Carolingian times. The 23 carved stones around the 12 c. portal depict a medieval bestiary. Here is the left part of the semicircle. A pelican or swan (?), a bull (?), a winged dragon, a cat (?) an elephant, four quadrupeds.