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Abbaye de Jumièges

Norman Architecture

By Emma-Jane Browne

October 26^th, 2020

Jumièges Abbey

Located in Normandy, close to Rouen, the first Jumièges Abbey was founded in the 7th century by Saint Philibert, thanks to a donation by Frankish king Clovis II.

Built during the height of the early monastic expansion in the territories that would later be united under Charlemagne's rule, Jumieges became one of the most powerful religious and intellectual centres of Neustria.

It was raided and burnt during a Viking raid in the 9th century. The monks fled and the abbey was left in ruins for a hundred years until it was restored by William Longsword - the son of Rollo, a Viking chieftan who became a christian and the first ruler of Nomandy (named after the word northmen, i.e. Vikings).

A new church was built in the 11th century, and was consecrated in 1067, in presence of William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of England.

Infamous royal mistress Agnes Sorel died close to Jumieges, where the King was staying, in 1450, and her heart was buried in the abbey.

The abbey was sacked during the French Wars of Religion and while monastic life persisted, it would never regain its former glory.

There were only 18 monks left by the time the French Revolution took over the monument, evicting them and turning it into a quarry (like many religious buildings).

In 1852, it was bought by a family who decided to save what was left. It found a certain fame during the 19th century, a time that praised the Middle Ages and Romantic ruins, and also thanks to Victor Hugo, who wrote about the beauty of the abbey.

Two churches make up the abbey, the smallest, Saint-Peter, dates back the late 10th century, and was built in the carolingian Romanesque style. It is the oldest remaining part of the abbey and was was solely used by the monks.

The larger church is an early example of Norman romanesque architecture, that William the Conqueror would export to England. A Gothic choir was added in the 13th century.

Jumièges was one of the first places I visited when we moved to France when I was very young, and it was somewhere I have wanted to return to for many years. It's strange how little I remembered of it, and it was not at all what I expected. I did however remember the atmosphere, the feeling of peace you find in religious sanctuaries. Even if it was not what I expected, I loved it and would definitely recommend visiting Jumièges. I know I would definitely like to return again at some point. :)