Gournay-en-Bray - Saint-Hildevert

The Normans had raided the whole area in the 10th century, so Gournay-en-Bray was a fortified village, that burnt down with its church in 1174. A new church was built here, that in 1192 got consecrated. The "collégiale" was dedicated to St. Stephen ("Saint Etienne").

When the relics of Saint Hildevert, once Bishop of Meaux, were transferred to this church, dedication and name of the collegiate changed. The church was enlarged and remodeled a couple of times over the centuries. The walls of the nave, the aisles and the massive columns in between are unchanged. They date back to the 12th century

Most of the capitals in Saint-Hildevert have geometric patterns and are very decorative, but some are very different. Many of them depict giant snakes (see previous upload). Though attacked by a snake, the man to the left seems not really excited. He has crossed his arms. His bald colleague to the right is fighting the beast.