Savigny - Notre-Dame

A priory of the Abbey Sainte-Barbe en Auge (100 kms east) existed nearby since 1107. "Notre Dame" (co-dedicated to "Sainte Barbe") was given to the priory in 1165. An inscription in the apse tells, that the church was consecrated in 1128.

The choir and apse, constructed during the Romanesque period, still exist pretty complete. Here is one of the capitals of the choir. There are two griffins. The inscription reads COCODRIAS, what may be connected to the greek word for crocoldile (κροκόδιλος).

The Abbey Sainte-Barbe en Auge was founded by Odon Stigand (1055). Odon´s son Robert was a well travelled gentleman, who brought the Sant Barbe´s skull to the abbey "from the east". So Robert may have seen crocodiles. Twice I found stuffed crocodiles in French churches. One in Oiron (Poitou-Charentes), one in Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges (Midi-Pyrénées).