I believe this window is in the logis royal (royal residence) at Loches. It's a symbol of the royalty, replete with a crown and the fleur de lys (lily flower), a favorite symbol of the French monarchy. There are also the letter C and the Roman numeral VII, standing for King Charles VII, who frequented the logis in the fifteenth century.
I read in Wikipedia that Charles VII was the first French king to reside in the Loire Valley. He also spent significant time at the Château de Chinon and in the city of Bourges. The last French king to reside in logis at Loches was François I, who is well known for building the magnificent Loire Valley château at Chambord (which is the château you see in the banner photo at the top of this blog), about 100 km northeast of Loches.
I love that kind of window,
ReplyDeleteA beautiful window and a history lesson, thanks!
ReplyDeleteNice, nice! My first thought was, Capet, and Louis VII, but.... duuuh... he obviously would have used an L somewhere in the image -- ha! I know absolutely nothing whatsoever about Charles VII.
ReplyDeleteAll I've ever wanted is a little house in the country, just like that. I'll have my own stained glass done.
ReplyDeleteDo any French miss the monarchy?
ReplyDeletetravel, lots of 'em around here!
ReplyDeletebettyann, I learn a lot doing the blog.
judy, he met Joan of Arc in Loches. I think he also met her in Chinon.
mitch, yes, you'll probably save a few euros that way. ;)
michael, there are those who are descendants of royals still hanging around, heads intact. And one television presenter who's gaga over royalty. But that's probably about it.
One of the everlasting regrets of English/British art is that so many priceless stained-glass windows in ecclesiastical establishments were lost [i.e. deliberately smashed] in the mid-17th century during our brief spell as a republic, when Oliver Cromwell's followers, carrying out the Lord Protector's orders, destroyed them in a fanatical but vain attempt to impose a rigidly austere brand of Protestantism in this country, then including Ireland. Not too many present-day Brits are of that sad part of our history, but for those who do the thought of that particular grievous loss makes one want to weep even now.
ReplyDeleteTalibans of the 17th century!
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