Boscherville - Abbaye Saint-Georges

This is a details from the entrance to the chapter house of the former "Abbaye Saint-Georges de Boscherville", founded by a chamberlain of William the Conqueror, and in existence upto the French Revolution.

The abbey church serves the parish since then. Most buildings of the abbey got demolished after the Revolution, but the chapter house survived. I had been here about 10 years ago, when this part of the abbey was closed. This time I had more luck - and was surprised by originality and quality of the carvings.

Flanking the entrance to the chapter house three large statues, holding banners. There were a bishop/abbot demanding "disciplina", the Death bringing to the monks mind, how sudden life could end. Here is a crowned lady, standing for the paradise. Her banner reads "VITA BEATA VOCOR" "I am called for the happy life". I think "vita beata" here means "eternal life".