Medieval France. An Encyclopedia

(Darren Dugan) #1

Vatteroni, Sergio. “Peire Cardenal et l’estribot.” Medioevo Romanzo 15(1990):61–91.


ÉTAMPES


. Only three bays of the crypt remain of the original church of Notre-Dame-du-Fort in
Étampes (Essonne). Founded in the 11th century by Robert II the Pious, the existing
church (begun ca. 1140) is unusual in plan. A narthex, flanked on either side by
irregularly shaped chapels, precedes the short nave with aisles. The choir (12th-13th c.)
has a straight east end and an ambulatory of irregular plan. The early 13th-century
western façade is placed obliquely in front of the bell tower, which surmounts the
narthex. Its central tympanum depicts the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the
Annunciation to the Shepherds, and the Flight into Egypt. The portal on the south side of
the church is directly dependent on the Royal Portal at Chartres. Here, jamb sculptures of
Old Testament figures are crowned by capitals in the form of a frieze representing scenes
from the life of Christ. The now mutilated tympanum depicts Christ surrounded by
angels.
The church of Saint-Basile has a square bell tower, transept, and façade depicting the
Last Judgment, all dating from the 12th century. The rib-vaulted nave, double aisles, and
choir with aisles were reconstructed in the 15th century. Renaissance additions include
lateral chapels and stained-glass windows.
Other buildings in Étampes include the church of Saint-Martin (begun ca. 1140),
which has a dangerously leaning late 12th- or early 13th-century tower; the church of
Saint-Gilles, founded in 1123 by King Louis VI; and the huge 12th-century keep, or
donjon (ca. 1176–1236), where Philip II Augustus confined his queen, Ingeborg of
Denmark, from 1201 to 1213.
Nina Rowe
Guibourgé, Léon. Étampes, ville royale. Étampes, 1958.
Lefèvre, Louis-Eugène. Le portail royal d’Étampes. 2nd ed. Paris: Picard, 1908.
Lefèvre-Pontalis, Eugène. “Étampes.” Congrès archéologique (Paris) 82(1919):3–49.
Nolan, Kathleen. “Narrative in the Capital Frieze of Notre-Dame at Étampes.” Art Bulletin
71(1989):166–84.


ÉTIENNE DE BOURBON


(ca.1190/94-ca. 1261). Born at Belleville-sur-Saône, Étienne studied at Mâcon and later
at Paris. He entered the Dominican order in 1223 at Lyon. One of the first inquisitors,
Étienne was present at Mont-Aimé in 1239 when 180 heretics were burned to death.
After traveling extensively, he retired to Lyon in 1250 to compile a collection of
exemplary lives. Combining medieval folkloric images and details with theological


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