Carved graffiti

The Abbey of St. Jean des Vignes was founded by Hughes Le Blanc for a community of Augustinian Canons in 1076. The Romanesque structures of the early years got replaced by buildings erected in Gothic style from the 13th century on. During the Hundred Year´s War, the abbey got heavily fortified. The town was looted and burned down by the troops of Charles VI of France (aka "Charles the Mad") in 1415. About a century later the town suffered severely, when it was under siege of the armees during the Wars of Religion. Prussian troops conquered Soisson in 1814. The Franco-Prussian War (1870/71) creating a lot of damage, shell fire in WWI destroyed again most of the Soissons. The towers of the Abbey were not hit at that time. After the French Revolution the nave of the church was used as a quarry. Most of the other buildings of the former convent got converted into barracks. An explosion inside the ammunition dump in 1815 destroyed most of the church. Thousands of soldiers lived in the barracks for some decades - and they had the time to cover all the walls around with numerous graffiti.

The Abbey of St. Jean des Vignes was founded by Hughes Le Blanc for a community of Augustinian Canons in 1076. The Romanesque structures of the early years got replaced by buildings erected in Gothic style from the 13th century on. During the Hundred Year´s War, the abbey got heavily fortified. The town was looted and burned down by the troops of Charles VI of France (aka "Charles the Mad") in 1415. About a century later the town suffered severely, when it was under siege of the armees during the Wars of Religion. Prussian troops conquered Soisson in 1814. The Franco-Prussian War (1870/71) creating a lot of damage, shell fire in WWI destroyed again most of the Soissons. The towers of the Abbey were not hit at that time. After the French Revolution the nave of the church was used as a quarry. Most of the other buildings of the former convent got converted into barracks. An explosion inside the ammunition dump in 1815 destroyed most of the church. Thousands of soldiers lived in the barracks for some decades - and they had the time to cover all the walls around with numerous graffiti.

The Abbey of St. Jean des Vignes was founded by Hughes Le Blanc for a community of Augustinian Canons in 1076. The Romanesque structures of the early years got replaced by buildings erected in Gothic style from the 13th century on. During the Hundred Year´s War, the abbey got heavily fortified. The town was looted and burned down by the troops of Charles VI of France (aka "Charles the Mad") in 1415. About a century later the town suffered severely, when it was under siege of the armees during the Wars of Religion. Prussian troops conquered Soisson in 1814. The Franco-Prussian War (1870/71) creating a lot of damage, shell fire in WWI destroyed again most of the Soissons. The towers of the Abbey were not hit at that time. After the French Revolution the nave of the church was used as a quarry. Most of the other buildings of the former convent got converted into barracks. An explosion inside the ammunition dump in 1815 destroyed most of the church. Thousands of soldiers lived in the barracks for some decades - and they had the time to cover all the walls around with numerous graffiti.

Laon, placed on a ridge and overlooking the flat Picardy plain, was a strategic, fortified site, already in Roman times. St. Remi founded a bishopric here in 487. Laon was a very important place in the kingdom of the Franks. After the fall of the Carolingians, Hugh Capet became the master of the town with the support of the bishop. The Abbey of St. Martin was founded in 1124 in Laon by the Bishop of Laon and Saint Norbert of Xanten. The Premonstratensian community started with twelve canons from the nearby Prémontré Abbey. The abbey was so successful that it soon numbered more than 500 members. Around 1300 this abbey was the second largest of the 150 Premonstratensian convents all over Europe. It existed upto the French Revolution, when it was dissolved. The former abbey church (seen here), erected within the 12th century, now serves the parish. The former monastic buildings have gaaen used as a hospital for many decades. Since 1980 they house the collection of the municipal library. In 1914 German forces captured Laon and held it until mid 1918. The hospital then was used by the German troops - and of course, the German soldiers, guarding it, had time to carve graffiti into the walls of the entrance gate. One of these soldiers was Mr. Giesemann from Berlin, on duty here 1914/15. Somebody carved in "Lächel" - what means "Smile". 100 years ago! On 28 June 1914 Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie were shot dead in Sarajevo. This assassination led directly to WWI.

Laon, placed on a ridge and overlooking the flat Picardy plain, was a strategic, fortified site, already in Roman times. St. Remi founded a bishopric here in 487. Laon was a very important place in the kingdom of the Franks. After the fall of the Carolingians, Hugh Capet became the master of the town with the support of the bishop. The Abbey of St. Martin was founded in 1124 in Laon by the Bishop of Laon and Saint Norbert of Xanten. The Premonstratensian community started with twelve canons from the nearby Prémontré Abbey. The abbey was so successful that it soon numbered more than 500 members. Around 1300 this abbey was the second largest of the 150 Premonstratensian convents all over Europe. It existed upto the French Revolution, when it was dissolved. The former abbey church (seen here), erected within the 12th century, now serves the parish. The former monastic buildings have gaaen used as a hospital for many decades. Since 1980 they house the collection of the municipal library. In 1914 German forces captured Laon and held it until mid 1918. The hospital then was used by the German troops - and of course, the German soldiers, guarding it, had time to carve graffiti into the walls of the entrance gate. One of them carved this early "selfie". 100 years ago! On 28 June 1914 Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie were shot dead in Sarajevo. This assassination led directly to WWI.

The "Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Beauvais" is incomplete. Only the transept (16th c.) and choir, with apse and apsidal chapels (13th c.) are standing after a tragic history. The erection of the cathedral began in 1225. Within the 13th century, there was a race for the largest and tallest cathedral and the daring builders here took part in it. They pushed the technology to the limits. The choir was completed in 1272. Reaching 42,50m, this was the highest-vaulted cathedral in France. In 1284, 12 years after completion, parts of the vaults collapsed. The choir got rebuilt over the next decades, but more columns were added now in chevet and choir. Due to the 100 Years War, the construction came to a complete stop in 1347. The transepts were added to the choir 1500-1548. The vaultings of the southern transept reached 48,50m (still the highest worldwide) - and then a crossing tower was planned and built. This tower was completed in 1569, with 153m it was the highest of its time. Four years later (1573), when the large procession had just left the cathedral on the "Feast of the Ascension", the tower collapsed. It took again years to repair the damage. The building of the nave that once was planned was never started. Like all cathedrals in France "Saint-Pierre de Beauvais" is dotted with old graffiti, as there were times, when the churches were open and neglected. This was was carved in just before the French Revolution.

The "Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Beauvais" is incomplete. Only the transept (16th c.) and choir, with apse and apsidal chapels (13th c.) are standing after a tragic history. The erection of the cathedral began in 1225. Within the 13th century, there was a race for the largest and tallest cathedral and the daring builders here took part in it. They pushed the technology to the limits. The choir was completed in 1272. Reaching 42,50m, this was the highest-vaulted cathedral in France. In 1284, 12 years after completion, parts of the vaults collapsed. The choir got rebuilt over the next decades, but more columns were added now in chevet and choir. Due to the 100 Years War, the construction came to a complete stop in 1347. The transepts were added to the choir 1500-1548. The vaultings of the southern transept reached 48,50m (still the highest worldwide) - and then a crossing tower was planned and built. This tower was completed in 1569, with 153m it was the highest of its time. Four years later (1573), when the large procession had just left the cathedral on the "Feast of the Ascension", the tower collapsed. It took again years to repair the damage. The building of the nave that once was planned was never started. Like all cathedrals in France "Saint-Pierre de Beauvais" is dotted with old graffiti, as there were times, when the churches were open and neglected. But when this name was carved in, the cathedral was already on the first list of "monument historique" (1840).

The place belonged to the Abbey Saint-Étienne in Baignes (16kms south) end of the 11th century, when the nave of Saint-Martin was built. The apse was added within the 12th century. When in 1953 conservators washed and peeled off the last coat of white paint and plaster from the 12th century walls of the apse, they discovered - graffitti! When in the 12th century the walls were completed, but not yet covered with plaster, some unknown person covered the side walls with graffiti. Over square meters! On the southern side (seen here) are sketches of warlike situations. Here is a pillar (a calvarie?), a church with a very large bishop or abbot (wears a mitra) and below a fortified building (castle) with a huge gate.

The place belonged to the Abbey Saint-Étienne in Baignes (16kms south) end of the 11th century, when the nave of Saint-Martin was built. The apse was added within the 12th century. When in 1953 conservators washed and peeled off the last coat of white paint and plaster from the 12th century walls of the apse, they discovered - graffitti! When in the 12th century the walls were completed, but not yet covered with plaster, some unknown person covered the side walls with graffiti. Over square meters! On the southern side (seen here) are sketches of warlike situations. A group of knights in full armor riding into à battle. One of the opponents can already partly seen to the left.

The place belonged to the Abbey Saint-Étienne in Baignes (16kms south) end of the 11th century, when the nave of Saint-Martin was built. The apse was added within the 12th century. When in 1953 conservators washed and peeled off the last coat of white paint and plaster from the 12th century walls of the apse, they discovered - graffitti! When in the 12th century the walls were completed, but not yet covered with plaster, some unknown person covered the side walls with graffiti. Over square meters! On the southern side (seen here) are sketches of warlike situations. A knight and his squire. Remind me on Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

The place belonged to the Abbey Saint-Étienne in Baignes (16kms south) end of the 11th century, when the nave of Saint-Martin was built. The apse was added within the 12th century. When in 1953 conservators washed and peeled off the last coat of white paint and plaster from the 12th century walls of the apse, they discovered - graffitti! When in the 12th century the walls were completed, but not yet covered with plaster, some unknown person covered the side walls with graffiti. Over square meters! On the southern side (seen here) are sketches of warlike situations. There are of course many (easy to identify!) knights and warriors (previous uploads). This one is much more difficult. The sketch may depict a large catapult, a siege engine, used in medieval wars to break walls.

The place belonged to the Abbey Saint-Étienne in Baignes (16kms south) end of the 11th century, when the nave of Saint-Martin was built. The apse was added within the 12th century. When in 1953 conservators washed and peeled off the last coat of white paint and plaster from the 12th century walls of the apse, they discovered - graffitti! When in the 12th century the walls were completed, but not yet covered with plaster, some unknown person covered the side walls with graffiti. Over square meters! Here is a peacock. Only wealthy nobles could afford such a rare and prestigious bird.

The town was founded by the hermit Domingo de la Calzada (aka "Dominic of the Causeway"), who supported the pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela. Domingo not only built a hospital for the pilgrims, but as well a paved causeway and a bridge. He was such a successful architect, that he is still patron saint of the Spanish civil engineers. The first church, erected by him, got consecrated in 1106. Since 1232 this was the Seat of the Bishops of the Calahorra-La Calzada and Logroño, so the structure got enlarged and modified. Around the former cloister now is a museum. This little skull is not part of the museum´s exhibition. It is one of the many graffiti on the walls of the cloister.

The nave was erected in the 12th century and the carved graffiti may date back to that time, what I doubt. Information given locally claims, that they were carved by "crusaders". Seen is a large cross and a castle.

The distance between Juziers (previous uploads) on the right side of the Seine and Épône on the left side is just a few kilometers. A church existed already in 982, the church of today was probably erected mid of the 12th century. While the graffiti in Juziers were mainly inside the church, probably carved in during the time, when the church was used as a gun-powder factory after the French Revolution, the graffiti here are outside. Some of them look very recent.

The "Priory of Saint Sulpice" is located about 4km south east of Les Ormes, near the "Château de La Fontaine". The priory was depended from the Benedictine "Abbey of Noyers", founded near Nouatre (16km north) in 1030. In 1035 land was given to the abbey here, so the the abbey could establish the priory soon after. The size of area was defined by what "could be ploughed by six oxes within a day" (~10 acres). This makes clear, that the monks installed a working farm here, producing food and funds for the abbey. This is still clearly visible, as many buildings of the priory still exist. Over the centuries a small hamlet grew up around the (fortified!) priory. The priory is privately owned since the French Revolution. We were lucky, to meet the owner, who not only allowed us to enter the premises but also showed us the priory and told us many details of it´s history. Merci beaucoup! The priory existed through many wars and feuds including the Hundred Years War and the French Wars of Religion. Most of the graffiti here were carved in after the Revoltion, when the monks had left. This large graffito is older. It was hidden behind a wall, that was installed, when the newer chapel was still used. It is mysterious. Seen are probably a couple of graffiti, maybe done in different times. The very large rectangular structure reminds me on to a quartered flag with a diagonal cross (saltire, "St. Andrew's Cross"), a common heraldic symbol. Then, there is the letter "M". The crosses (especially the large one) remind me on graffiti done by pilgrims. Strange are two "nose/eyes"-heads. The similar "Kilroy"/"Mr Chad" graffiti date back to the 1940s, these ones are probably some centuries older.

The "Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (pop. ~ 14.000) is not only one of the largest but as most important Gothic churches in of the Provence. A small merovingien church existed here, until a sarcophagus was discovered inside the church´s crypt in 1279. The inscription made clear, that this was the tomb of Mary Magdalene. Her relics had been venerated in Vezeley since the early 11th century. Numerous pilgrims had headed to her relics since then and had made Vezelay Abbey to a major starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. According to legend a monk named Baudillon or Badilo brought the relics of Maria Magdalene from Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume to Vezelay through fear of the Saracens. In 1058 Pope Stephen IX had confirmed the authenticity of the relics. Until that time it was undisputed that Maria Magdalena was one of the The "Three Marys", who had fled the Holy Land by a miraculous boat and landed at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. After having worked as a sucessful missionar, she retired to a cave in the near mountains. She was buried in a crypt in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, from where the relics had been transferred to Vezelay. The discovery of the tomb in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in 1279, a very clever "marketing" plus political patronage finally ended the pilgrim business in Vezelay. Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples founded the Basilique Ste. Marie-Madeleine in 1295. The basilica had the blessing of Pope Boniface VIII, who had taken Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume´s side, and placed the basilica under the new order of Dominicans. The basilica was built over the crypt (where the tomb was found) but the works slowed down and continued until 1532. So from 1270 on pilgrims on their way to Arles, a starting point of the Via Tolosana, stopped here - and left a large number of graffiti all around the crypt. These horseshoes are very typical graffiti carved by pilgrims travelling with horses or mules. I found identical graffiti in Pons (Charente-Maritime) and Baillargues (Hérault).

The "Basilique Sainte-Marie-Madeleine" in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (pop. ~ 14.000) is not only one of the largest but as most important Gothic churches in of the Provence. A small merovingien church existed here, until a sarcophagus was discovered inside the church´s crypt in 1279. The inscription made clear, that this was the tomb of Mary Magdalene. Her relics had been venerated in Vezeley since the early 11th century. Numerous pilgrims had headed to her relics since then and had made Vezelay Abbey to a major starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. According to legend a monk named Baudillon or Badilo brought the relics of Maria Magdalene from Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume to Vezelay through fear of the Saracens. In 1058 Pope Stephen IX had confirmed the authenticity of the relics. Until that time it was undisputed that Maria Magdalena was one of the The "Three Marys", who had fled the Holy Land by a miraculous boat and landed at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. After having worked as a sucessful missionar, she retired to a cave in the near mountains. She was buried in a crypt in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, from where the relics had been transferred to Vezelay. The discovery of the tomb in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in 1279, a very clever "marketing" plus political patronage finally ended the pilgrim business in Vezelay. Charles II of Anjou, King of Naples founded the Basilique Ste. Marie-Madeleine in 1295. The basilica had the blessing of Pope Boniface VIII, who had taken Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume´s side, and placed the basilica under the new order of Dominicans. The basilica was built over the crypt (where the tomb was found) but the works slowed down and continued until 1532. So from 1270 on pilgrims on their way to Arles, a starting point of the Via Tolosana, stopped here - and left a large number of graffiti all around the crypt. Many more names, notes and dates can be found all over the basilica. Some of them carved in after the Revolution, when the Dominicans had left the place and the members of the "club jacobin" used the basilica. This was, when - in honor of Jean Paul Marat - the name of the town was changed to "Marathon". During the 19th century the church must be unattended and open over long periods. The carved graffiti seen here were done probably in the late 19th century, as "below" them are a number of scribblings done with copying pencils. The first of these "indelible pencils", containing aniline dyes, were available in the 1870s.