William the Conqueror had a complicated life when it came to love. In 1051, Pope Leo IX disapproved of his marriage to Matilda of Flanders. It is theorized that this was because of their "excessively close kinship" as fifth cousins, or second marriages of Matilda's parents that would invalidate her heritage. Leo's successor, Nicholas II, pardoned their marriage as long as they built two abbeys and four hospitals. Matilda commissioned the Abbey of Sainte-Trinité, and William Saint-Etienne.
The Abbey of Saint-Etienne, also known as the Mens' Abbey or Abbaye aux Hommes, was founded in 1063 and consecrated in 1077. Its structure served as the model for Norman abbeys in England. The exterior is Romanesque and spans three levels, with two symmetric towers marking the original point of entry.
William was buried in the choir of the abbey in 1087. A little beloved ruler, his body was held in Rouen, France, for three weeks before it was transported to its resting place at Caen. The corpse was bloated from heat and the king's late gluttony and burst when it was lowered into the grave. The grave marker, placed in the nineteenth century, is written in Latin and reads, "Here lies the invincible William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of England, founder of this edifice, deceased in 1087."The original monastery was destroyed in religious wars of 1562 and 1563, though the church still stands with its eleventh century architecture. The choir was remodeled in the fifteenth century in the Gothic style. Because the tomb was opened and vandalised several times, all that remains of William the Conqueror is a thigh bone.
Works Cited
"The Men's Abbey." The Epic Adventure: In the Footsteps of William the Conqueror. Calvados Tourist Board, 2018. http://william-the-conqueror.co.uk/the-mens-abbey/.
Serena, Katie. "Gross! William the Conqueror's Body Exploded on People at His Funeral." All That's Interesting, 1 December 2017. Updated 13 July 2018. https://allthatsinteresting.com/william-the-conqueror.
Douglas, David C. "William the Conqueror: The Norman Impact Upon England," Appendix C. University of California Press, 1967. Retrieved from Erenow.com. https://erenow.com/biographies/william-the-conqueror-the-norman-impact-upon-england/21.html.
This tomb is interesting as most tombs are raised above the setting of the floor. They are also decorated usually with figures. A great example is Strongbow tomb, which was erected above the floor and its him laying on a stone burial.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that his body exploded when lowered into the tomb is both disgusting and fascinating. Disappointing that all that remains of William in the tomb is a thigh bone. Also, the pictures you provided display the beauty of the architecture well.
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