Post Medieval History | Jumieges, Abbey Church of Notre-Dame | Briefing | Professor Lynn Courtenay

Early Roofing Systems in Northern Europe

Click images to enlarge.

France, Jumièges, Abbey Church of Notre-Dame | Post Medieval History
Professor Lynn Courtenay

After 100 Years' War between England and France, Charles VII and his famous mistress, Agnes Sorel, who died near Jumièges and is buried in the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patronized the Abbey. The cloistral buildings were rebuilt in 16th c., and one can obtain a good idea of the extensive abbey complex from the reproduced by Lanfry.

In 1617, the Maurist Reform took over Jumièges and again altered the roof of the nave in order to insert a plaster vault. Under the Maurists, Jumièges remained active until the winter of 1788 when the monks were dispersed and the monastery condemned in the French Revolution; its demolition began in 1795. In the early 19th century a lavish guesthouse was built when the abbey was destroyed. The Romanesque and Gothic fabric was used as a quarry for its fine stone, thus causing the collapse of the transepts in 1819. The systematic destruction did not stop until 1824 when eventually the proprietors attempted to preserve the ruin. Jumièges finally became a Historical monument and State property in 1947.

France, Jumièges, Abbey Church of Notre-Dame,
View of site in 1702

back to Jumièges main

back to briefing main