g the three rosaces. The second row lights a
circular inner gallery, which is above the aisles, and several of them
offer paintings of great beauty. Amongst others Saint-Romain is
represented making himself master of the _Gargouille_, and forcing the
Seine to return to its bed.
Against the first pillar to the right, on entering by the Western porch,
is placed a large marble vessel containing holy water. By a very curious
optical effect, we can see the roof of the church in its entire length.
The choir was formerly separated by a magnificent screen, of which we
find an engraving in the _History of the Abbey_, by Pommeraye. This
screen, was erected in 1462 by the munificence of the cardinal
d'Estouteville; in 1562, it was partly destroyed by the calvinists, and
repaired in 1655, by William Cotterel, grand prior of Saint-Ouen. This
fine structure entirely disappeared at the revolution.
Eleven chapels, including the one dedicated to the Virgin, surround the
choir of the church. The first, in going towards the eastern extremity,
contains the baptismal font, and is dedicated to Saint-Martial. There
also, was formerly a very curious clock, which has disappeared within
the last forty years. A small figure of Saint-Michael came out and
struck the hours on a figure representing satan and then disappeared.
In the second chapel, following the same direction, Alexander de
Berneval, one of the architects of the church, was buried in 1440. He is
represented, on the sepulchral stone which covers his remains, by the
side of his pupil; the following inscription is engraved on this stone
in gothic letters:
Ci gist maistre Alexandre de Berneval, maistre des Oeuvres de
Machonnerie du Roy, notre Sire, du baillage de Rouen et de cette
Eglise, qui trespassa l'an de grace mil CCCCXL le vo jour de
janvier. Priez Dieu pour l'ame de lui.
We also remark the statue of Sainte-Cecile, which is placed between two
pillars of the corinthian order. The other chapels, except that of the
Virgin, do not offer any thing remarkable.
English tourists will find in the latter, the tomb of the youngest son
of Talbot; the following is the epitaph:
Ci gist noble homme Jean Tallebot, fils du sieur de Tallebot,
Mareschal de France, qui deceda en aunees de puerilite, le IV
Banvier MCCCCXXXVIII.
The interior of the church contains several fine paintings, such as:
_The miracle of the loaves_, by Daniel Halle, and _a V
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