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Chances are that if one were to inspect a medieval cathedral, you would see a number gargoyles leer down at you. The name, gargoyle, is derived from the Latin word gargula, which means throat, and references the their work in diverting torrents of water through their mouths. If a piece of statuary doesn't fulfill this role then some prefer to call it a grotesque. The origin of the head itself, like the word, also has an origin.
The Legend of the Gargoyle
In around 620 CE, the French city of Rouen was beset by a terror of the River Seine - a dragon called La Gargouille, which caused devastating floods with its ability to spout water. Crops were ruined, houses were smashed to bits and countless people were swept away by the torrent of water that it emitted. Any ships unfortunate enough to come near the the creature would be swallowed whole with one snap of its mighty jaws. To appease the dragon, the inhabitants would sacrifice a virgin each year but the destruction continue unabated.
Saint Romanus, the archbishop of Rouen, couldn't remain quiet amidst all of the wanton destruction, and so he came to the inhabitants with a proposition: he would deal with if he received assistance. No one stepped forward. A condemned prisoner heard of the quest though and, knowing that his life was forfeit in any case, offered to accompany the archbishop to the dragon's lair, on the condition that he would get a pardon afterwards.
The two humans entered the monster's den, and a serpentine head reared up when it spotted the two intruders, from which a tidal wave could erupt at any moment. Right at that moment, the saint made the sign of the cross and the beast became paralyzed; only a small trickle came out of its maw as the prisoner snapped a leash around its great neck. La Gargouille was in such a passive state that the criminal and Saint Romanus were able to lead it back to Rouen, where the crowds demanded vengeance.
The mob tied the dragon to a stake and set him alight, but even as its body turned to ash, the head remained intact. This grotesque head was affixed to the cathedral, as a reminder to stay faithful. Soon afterwards, rain started to fall from the heavens, and water started to gush out of the open jaws, thus inspiring architects to make stone versions that adorn medieval structures.
Saint Romanus also stipulated that henceforth the archbishop of Rouen would pardon one condemned criminal each year, in honour of the only person who had been willing to help in the quest against La Gargouille.
Thank you for reading!
Chances are that if one were to inspect a medieval cathedral, you would see a number gargoyles leer down at you. The name, gargoyle, is derived from the Latin word gargula, which means throat, and references the their work in diverting torrents of water through their mouths. If a piece of statuary doesn't fulfill this role then some prefer to call it a grotesque. The origin of the head itself, like the word, also has an origin.
The Legend of the Gargoyle
In around 620 CE, the French city of Rouen was beset by a terror of the River Seine - a dragon called La Gargouille, which caused devastating floods with its ability to spout water. Crops were ruined, houses were smashed to bits and countless people were swept away by the torrent of water that it emitted. Any ships unfortunate enough to come near the the creature would be swallowed whole with one snap of its mighty jaws. To appease the dragon, the inhabitants would sacrifice a virgin each year but the destruction continue unabated.
Saint Romanus, the archbishop of Rouen, couldn't remain quiet amidst all of the wanton destruction, and so he came to the inhabitants with a proposition: he would deal with if he received assistance. No one stepped forward. A condemned prisoner heard of the quest though and, knowing that his life was forfeit in any case, offered to accompany the archbishop to the dragon's lair, on the condition that he would get a pardon afterwards.
The two humans entered the monster's den, and a serpentine head reared up when it spotted the two intruders, from which a tidal wave could erupt at any moment. Right at that moment, the saint made the sign of the cross and the beast became paralyzed; only a small trickle came out of its maw as the prisoner snapped a leash around its great neck. La Gargouille was in such a passive state that the criminal and Saint Romanus were able to lead it back to Rouen, where the crowds demanded vengeance.
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| Saint Romanus exorcises the gargoyle of Rouen, 1855. |
The mob tied the dragon to a stake and set him alight, but even as its body turned to ash, the head remained intact. This grotesque head was affixed to the cathedral, as a reminder to stay faithful. Soon afterwards, rain started to fall from the heavens, and water started to gush out of the open jaws, thus inspiring architects to make stone versions that adorn medieval structures.
 |
| Le Stryge de Notre Dame, 1890. Auguste Louis Lepère (French, 1849-1918). |
Saint Romanus also stipulated that henceforth the archbishop of Rouen would pardon one condemned criminal each year, in honour of the only person who had been willing to help in the quest against La Gargouille.
Thank you for reading!
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