As promised a follow up to my Mosaic Monday post - 39, this week it's the turn of Saint Marcouf.
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L'Eglise Saint Marcouf
A pamphlet displayed inside the church tells the story of Saint Marcouf.
He was born circa 483 in Bayeux, ordained by the Bishop of Coutances he worked amongst the poor before receiving the domaine of Nantus, on the Contenin peninsula.
The domaine was a gift from Roi (King) Childebert 1st at the beginning of the 6th c. and Saint Marcouf founded a monastery there.
On the 1st May in the year 558 Saint Marcouf died in the arms of Saint Lo. Due to an invasion by the Vikings his relics were sent to Corbeny a town close to Reims, Alsace Lorraine in the year 898.
The relics now reside inside the Church of St Marcouf, beside the altar.
Legend has it that Saint Marcouf communicated with Robert the Pious, King of France from 976 to 1031, giving him the power to heal those suffering from scrofula (tuberculosis).
He did this by using his right hand to draw a cross on the face of the afflicted person saying " Le Roi te touche, Dieu te guérisse" - the King touches you, God heals you.
The healings took place on sacred days and at great religious feasts.
the view from the church door
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| the statue of the left of the altar is of Saint Marcouf |
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The church's 18th c. lectern is decorated with the eagle of Saint John.
On it rests a hand written prayer on canvas, dating to the same period.
Saint Marcouf pray for us, protect us.
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Our home is the former Presbytere of l'Eglise Saint Marcouf and dates to the 16th c. with later 18th c. additions.
We were told by the previous owners that the room which is now a guest bedroom in the original 16th century part of the house was used by the Bishop of Bayeux when he came to visit, the hand crafted terracotta tiled floor and oak ceiling beams have survived the centuries.
Sadly, I've not been able to confirm that story or to find out anything about the property other than that during WWII the house was briefly occupied by the German army.
If only these walls could talk, what stories they could tell.
the Bishop's Room
Oh My Goodness - what a wonderful slice of history - thank you for sharing and then sharing your homes historical connection.
ReplyDeleteThank you Maggie for your 40th Mosaic Monday, as always, appreciated.
Joy
Wonderful post, Maggie. Fond memories of our visit to your amazing home. Being a guest in The Bishop's Room is extra special! Thanks for your generous hospitality. Sweet memories!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting and enjoy the week. Hugs across the miles.
Wow very interesting---love history
ReplyDeleteMB
What fascinating history of a saint I was not familiar with. I loved your photo of the stained glass windows inside the church, with the sun beaming through them.
ReplyDeleteYour home is beautiful, Maggie, and has so much history --as you said--if only the walls could talk!
Dearest Maggie,
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing such an amazing and interesting post and for hosting every week your beautiful and inspiring link up party !
Wishing you the best of weeks
I'm sending blessings across the many miles
XOXO Daniela at - My little old world – (Dany)
Wonderful post, Maggie! I do love history and have really enjoyed learning more about Saint Marcouf and your beautiful home. Happy Monday and thanks so much for hosting!
ReplyDeleteSuch fabulous history in your area of the world. The photos are fabulous and I always love learning of such ancient history. Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteA nice series of shots, Maggie. St Marcouf looks a lot like St Anthony holding the Christ Child (see: http://cdn.aquinasandmore.com/images/items/st.-anthony-and-christ-child-italian-church-statue-95779xl.png)
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting.
Maggie, Love the stained glass windows. Thanks for hosting. Sylvia D.
ReplyDeleteSo very interesting, Maggie. I really enjoyed your post with all the history and how your home might fit into that history as well. Love that guest room. That photo of the light through the stained glass window with it's reflections is beautiful! Hope you have a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteAlways interesting to find out the history of one's environs.
ReplyDeleteI have never known anyone who lived in an historic home ...of course nothing in either place we live even dates back that far (at least in terms of presently inhabitable buildings). It seems like a kind of miracle to me that you live there and I'm grateful for all I learn from your posts. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post, Maggie! Your home and its environs are filled with stories of people from long ago and modern ones as well. As you've mentioned, if only the walls could talk. The stained glass windows in the church are beautiful. I wonder if the ghost of the bishop ever returns to his room there.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting once again, Maggie. Bonne semaine!
How did you know that we do have a ghost?
DeleteFascinating post Maggie. I imagine the bishop's room and bed are more comfortable today!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week...and thank you for hosting,
Ruby
Oh, my! You live in such an historic place!
ReplyDeleteWow! Your house is spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI had to go back and look again! You live in that gorgeous house? WOW! I would love to drive up to your front door and sit in the chairs in front! And I love the light coming through the stain glass windows of the church. What a gorgeous photo! Happy MM! Hugs! (whew I made it)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and enchanting place that you live, and how blessed you are. Such a different setting from my own in the woods of Kentucky and yet here we are friends from blogging paths crossing...delightful!!! Thank you so very much for your kindness and what you share~
ReplyDeleteOh Maggie, what do I love most? Your home is just gorgeous. Beams and terracotta tile? Wow -- I'm in love! And the history you presented -- so beautifully written and so fascinating. But maybe, well, at least a close tie, with your house is that unbelievably gorgeous photo of the light coming through the stained glass. I hope you do something with that -- something bigger than the blog. It really deserves and audience!
ReplyDeleteTruly a inspirational post. I do enjoy reading the histories of the world. Your home has rich history certain is wonderful sanitary for you and your husband. The bedroom looks a room out of a fairytale or certainly a Bronte novel.
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