MEDIEVAL IMAGES OF SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX - GL25.jpg

Category Glass
Origin: artist/workshop Cologne workshop
Date 16C/1
Reference No
Size 65x87
Provenance Altenberg Cistercian Abbey, cloister
Present Location Shrewsbury, England, St Mary's Church, north window
Bibliography VP2:6:37-8 (PL185:289-90); LA 218-9; Paffrath 1984, 110-3

Eckert 1953, 83; Paris 1990, 289
Illustration From Paffrath 1984, ill 28
Other illustrations Eckert 1953, pl 22

Paris 1990, ill 242
Country Germany
Description:
1505/32. Scene of Bernard settling the dispute with Duke William of Aquitaine in 1134, gaining his support for Innocent II and thus ending the schism. Innocent II ordered Bernard to open a campaign against the stronghold of the schism in south-west France. After several attempts to pacify William, Bernard finally invited him to the church in Poitiers (indicated by the inscription in the picture) where he was to celebrate Mass. William accepted although he was obliged to remain outside the church as he was excommunicated. After the peace and Communion Bernard bore the Host out of the church, confronted the Duke with the Host 'your judge at whose name bends every knee in heaven, on earth, and in hell'. William trembled, fell to the ground. Bernard ordered him to be reconciled with the bishop of Poitiers whom he had expelled and then submit to Innocent, and this William did. Here Bernard in eucharistic vestments follows the deacon who holds the chalice with the paten upon which the Host is placed on the way to confront the duke which led to William's conversion.