As promised a follow up to my Mosaic Monday post - 39, this week it's the turn of Saint Marcouf.  |
L'Eglise Saint Marcouf A pamphlet displayed inside the church tells the story of Saint Marcouf. He was born circa 483 in Bayeux, ordained by the Bishop of Coutances he worked amongst the poor before receiving the domaine of Nantus, on the Contenin peninsula. The domaine was a gift from Roi (King) Childebert 1st at the beginning of the 6th c. and Saint Marcouf founded a monastery there. On the 1st May in the year 558 Saint Marcouf died in the arms of Saint Lo. Due to an invasion by the Vikings his relics were sent to Corbeny a town close to Reims, Alsace Lorraine in the year 898. The relics now reside inside the Church of St Marcouf, beside the altar.  Legend has it that Saint Marcouf communicated with Robert the Pious, King of France from 976 to 1031, giving him the power to heal those suffering from scrofula (tuberculosis). He did this by using his right hand to draw a cross on the face of the afflicted person saying " Le Roi te touche, Dieu te guérisse" - the King touches you, God heals you. The healings took place on sacred days and at great religious feasts.  the view from the church door |
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| the statue of the left of the altar is of Saint Marcouf |
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The church's 18th c. lectern is decorated with the eagle of Saint John. On it rests a hand written prayer on canvas, dating to the same period. Saint Marcouf pray for us, protect us. |
Our home is the former Presbytere of l'Eglise Saint Marcouf and dates to the 16th c. with later 18th c. additions.
We were told by the previous owners that the room which is now a guest bedroom in the original 16th century part of the house was used by the Bishop of Bayeux when he came to visit, the hand crafted terracotta tiled floor and oak ceiling beams have survived the centuries.
Sadly, I've not been able to confirm that story or to find out anything about the property other than that during WWII the house was briefly occupied by the German army.
If only these walls could talk, what stories they could tell.
the Bishop's Room
