Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Arma Christi

The parish of Kalkhorst is mentioned in 1230 in a list of villages belonging to the Ratzeburg diocese At the same time the village church of Kalkhorst was built. It was erected by the lords of the village. The church of today stands out because of the irregularity of its ground plan and the many additions and alterations. The square tower stands asymmetrically in front. The choir is dated to around 1350 based on an epitaph and replaced a previous building. The nave is attributed to the 13th century, so it is the older part of the building. The baroque furnishings from the beginning of the 18th century. The late gothic fresco of the choir. The resurrection of Jesus (watched by a king and a bishop) and the "Arma Christi".

On the ruins of a older basilica begann, just next to the Baptistère Saint-Jean the construction of large Cathédrale Saint-Pierre in 1162. The building, the new the seat of the Archbishop of Poitiers, was greatly funded by Henry II of England (aka "Henri II Plantagenêt") and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The construction started as usual in the east and was completed with the western facade end of the 13th century. The transition from the late Romanesque to the Gothic style is visible. The three Gothic portals of the western facade seem influenced by the Gothic cathedrals from northern France. The tympanum of the central portal depicts the "Last Judgment", a "traditional" theme, as this can often found on Romanesque tympana. The tympanum is densely populated and delicately carved. Tombs open on the lowest tier, while above them souls go to heaven (left) or enter the "Mouth of Hell" (right). Christ is flanked by angels, who hold the "Arma Christi". The icon "Instruments of the Passion" got popular during the 13th century.

Many pilgrims following the Via Lemovicensis visited Bazas, as since medieval times as the blood of John the Baptist was venerated here. The relic got lost during the French Revolution as well as the bishopric seat. The cathedral, dating mainly from the 13th-14th centuries, dominates the central square of Bazas. The western facade has three Gothic portals. Here is the tympanum of the center portal. The trumeau depicts John the Baptist (only his upper body can be seen), holding the "Agnus Dei". The trumeau depicts John the Baptist (only his upper body can be seen), holding the "Agnus Dei". The tympanum has in the lowest tier some biblical scenes, connected to John´s life. The decapitation is to the very left. The "Last Judgment", a popular theme With the next tier the Armageddon begins. The "Last Judgment" was a very popular theme fpr tymoana since centuries. Here the graves open. The weighing of the souls is seen (very damaged) in the center of the next level. On the very right devils stuff poor souls into the hellmouth, while the persons on the left side go up to heaven. The angels, flanking Christ in the center above, hold the "Arma Christi" ("Instruments of the Passion").

The construction of the cathedral was ordered by King Ferdinand III of Castile and Mauricio, the Bishop of Burgos. Ferdinand had just married Barbarossa´s granddaughter Beatrice of Swabia (aka "Elisabeth of Swabia") and wanted a cathedral, reflecting his new role in the European power game. The former Romanesque cathedral got demolished and on July 20, 1221, the construction of the new Gothic started under the guidance of an unknown French architect. After nine years, the chevet was completed and the high altar was consecrated. Then the construction stopped for about 200 years. Attending the Council of Basel (aka "Council of Florence") in 1435 bishop (and diplomat) Alfonso de Cartagena saw the just completed, elegant towers of the Basel Minster. When he returned to Burgos he was accompanied by German architect Johannes von Köln (aka "Juan de Colonia"), who probably knew the blueprints of the towers, planned for the Cathedral of Cologne. Under his guidance the towers of the Cathedral were completed in open tracery. He was followed on the construction site by his son Simon de Colonia. The crossing tower collapsed in 1539, but got rebuilt, so that in 1567 the Cathedral was finally completed. Seen here is the north transept portal, known as "Portada de la Coroneria", erected around 1240 and permanently locked since 1830. Over the centuries residents had entered the cathedral here and by using the opposite portal as an exit, had a nice short cut to the market. Flanking the doors are the 12 apostles. The Last Judgement is on the tympanum above. Christ seated on a throne between the Virgin and John the Evangelist, angels display the Instruments of the Passion (aka "Arma Christi"). Below is a psychostasia. Archangel Michael weighs the souls. Following the information given here Ferdinand III and Beatriz can be found on the left, on their way to Paradise. The road to hell (paved with good intentions) runs to the right. www.catedraldeburgos.es/

Late afternoon sun in Bourges. The "Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges" was erected as a replacement for a 11th-century structure. The construction started probably in the last quarter of the 12th century, around the same time, when the builders and bricklayers started in Chartres. The choir of the cathedral was in use by 1214, the nave was finished 1255. The cathedral was consecrated in 1324. The western facade was finished by 1270. It is very wide (42m), as the four side aisles and central nave each have their own portal. This is the tympanum of the center-portal, the largest and most ornate and sophisticated one. The "Last Judgment", a popular theme already on Romanesque churches (eg Conques, Autun, Moissac, Sangüesa) is seen on the tympanum in a delicate Gothic style. Seen here are three levels. At the bottom souls arise from the open the graves. They all look young and healthy. Above Archangel Michael holds a scale. This is a Psychostasia, the "Weighing of the Souls". While the souls left of Saint Michael are escorted by angels, the souls to the right are tortured by devils. Above all Christ enthroned and flanked by angels. The angels show the "Arma Christi", the "Instruments of Passion". Since 1992 the cathedral is a "UNESCO World Heritage Site".

Raoul de Bourges (aka "Saint Raoul"), archbishop of Bourges, son of the Count of Turenne founded an abbey on the banks of the Dordogne river in the 9th century with the help of monks from Solignac, where Raoul had started his clerical career. After feudal quarrels, the abbey Saint-Pierre joined the Cluniac movement in 1076 and soon after the erection of this church started. It was completed already mid 12th century. Though not situated at the busy pilgrim routes (eg "Via Podensis" runs about 60kms south) a large, typical "pilgrim church" was created here. It may well been, that the relics, that were on display here (Saint-Prime, Saint-Félicien, Sainte-Félicité) and the proximity to Rocamador (30kms southwest) motivated many pilgrims to do a detour. The abbey slipped into difficult times, when the number of pilgrims shrunk and feudal claims emerged again. The abbey and the city of Beaulieu suffered of the Wars of Religion. The Huguenots took over Beaulieu in 1569 and the monks had to flee. After the "Ligue Catholique" had reconquered the place, the monks returned and soon after the convent joined the Congregation of Saint Maur. The abbey existed upto the French revolution, when the last 6 monks had to leave. The abbey buildings got sold and demolished, while the church was taken over by the parish. The structure was in a ruined state at that time. The nave partly collapsed in 1808, but a difficult renovation undertaken end of the 19th century finally saved the church. The double lintel is populated by creatures of hell. These are the beasts of the Revelation, there is even a seven-headed-beast. The creatures come out of the hell´s mouth (left) and are devouring ill-fated sinners. Above them is the Second Coming of Christ. Tombs are opening. Ii the center of the tympanum is a seated Christ, flanked by two angels blowing horns. He holds his arms outstretched and so forms a cross, while behind his right shoulder two angels hold the cross, an angel over his left shoulder displays the nails. Christ, surrounded by angels and apostles, is depicted with the "Arma Christi", the instruments of the Passion. A very unusual "combination" for the time.