We may suppose that Christianity was
first published in the Beauce province by the same apostles, Savinienus
and Potentienius, who had evangelized Sens and the Senones. Their
disciple, Aventin (Aventinus), is recognized as the first Bishop of
Chartres, and as the builder of the first cathedral which stood on the
site of the present building....
The naves, the north and south transept portals, and the choir belong to
the thirteenth century, the north tower to the fifteenth, and the
magnificent jube, or screen, which runs round the choir, is evidently
sixteenth century style, being an example of that Renaissance employment
of Gothic details, of which we find such glorious counterparts at Rouen
and Albi. The western facade of Chartres is plain in comparison with those
of Amiens or Rheims. The voussures of the three central portals are
comparatively shallow. Above them are three lancet windows which resemble
windows of the Early English Style. The rose-window, beneath which the
lancets are placed, is of great dimensions and effective tracery. The
highest story of the front between the towers is screened by a rich
arcade, over which rises the gable point.
Pages:
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261