The History of Paris from the Earliest Period to the Present Day (Volume 1) (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1825. Excerpt: ... PARIS, ETC. CHAP. I. V CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF NOTRE DAME. Mole sua terrorem incutit spectantibus.* The Christians had no public temples or churches till about the year 230. The first church in Paris was built towards the year 375, under the reign of the Emperor Valentinian I; it was dedicated to Saint Stephen, and was the only one in the city in 522, when Childebert, son of Clovis, contributed very liberally towards its repair. It was then enlarged, windows were put up, and a new church or chapel, dedicated to Our Lady, was added. Maurice de Sully, who had raised himself to the episcopal see of Paris, undertook the entire reconstruction of the cathedral church. The works were commenced about the year 1163, and it is conjectured that the first stone was laid by Pope Alexander III. In 1182, the high altar was consecrated by Henry, legate of the Holy See, which leads to the supposition that the choir was then finished. * Script. Antiq. VoL. I. A Maurice rebuilt also the episcopal palace, but dying in 1196, he left it to his successors to continue the structure begun by him. The works proceeded very slowly after the death of Maurice, as we find, by an inscription in the south porch, * that, in 1257, that part of the edifice was not built, and that, in February of the same year, its construction was begun by a mason named Jehan de Chelles. Notwithstanding these positive assertions respecting the church of Notre IJame, which are extracted from Saint Foix, it is certain that its origin is enveloped in deep obscurity. No point in the history of Paris presents more difficulties, or has given rise to more conflicting opinions among writers upon its antiquities, who are not agreed on the name, the origin, or even the position of this first church of the Parisians. The church of Notre Dame, and sev...