Pope Innocent III (Lotario dei Conti di Segni) was pope from 1198 until his death in 1216 and is widely regarded as the most powerful pontiff of the Middle Ages. His reign represented the high point of papal claims to universal authority, grounded in canon law, theology, and the assertion that the pope stood above all secular rulers as vicarius Christi.
The portal of St Anne on the right of the western façade was built in 1200 and is the earliest of the three portals to be built. The tympanum ⓘ is actually dated to about 1150 and was once part of the earlier cathedral of St. Stephen ⓘ whose western façade was once 40 metres to the west of the present Cathedral.
This shrine, shaped like a miniature Gothic church, was originally conceived to house the relics of Saint Vindicianus ⓘ, an early bishop of Cambrai–Arras and a key figure in the Christian history of Artois. Its architectural form, precious materials, and central rock-crystal window, allowing the relics to be seen, proclaim its function as a prestige reliquary and focal point of local devotion.
Tomb of Richard I of England ⓘ (d1199). This is one of three tombs to Richard I, this one is said to contain his heart, his entrails were buried in Châlus (where he died), and the rest of his body was buried at the feet of his father, Henry II, at Fontevraud Abbey in Anjou.
Richard I of England, known as Richard the Lionheart, was one of the most famous warrior-kings of the Middle Ages. Born in 1157, the third son of Henry II of England ⓘ and Eleanor of Aquitaine ⓘ, he became king in 1189 and ruled until his death in 1199.
Robert Curthose ⓘ (d1134) effigy, of painted Irish bog oak, was made about 100 years after his death.
Discovered in 1887 this C12 square bowled font has carved scenes from the life of Crist on all four sides.
This C12 font has a circular bowl with a bead decoration which is supported by three crouching Atlas figures supporting the red sandstone bowl.
Since its construction in around 1150, the western portal of Chartres Cathedral, decorated with elongated late Romanesque style figures of the Kings and Queens of the Old Testament has been known as the Royal Portal.
Construction of Bourges cathedral began in 1195 and was finally completed and dedicated to St Stephen ⓘ in 1324. With its five portals the western façade, which was completed in 1230, is the widest of any Gothic church spanning some 40 metres.
