Rouen, Its History and Monuments: A Guide to StrangersLicquet, Théodore
History
Rouen, Its History and Monuments: A Guide to Strangers
Licquet, Théodore
Rouen (France) -- Guidebooks
Next to it, is the monument of Louis de Brézé, grand-son of the latter,
who died in july 1531. The celebrated Diana of Poitiers caused this
mausoleum to be raised to his memory. The body of the monument is
supported by four columns of black marble, with capitals and bases of
white alabaster. Between these columns is a coffin, on which the white
marble statue of the grand senechal, is laid. The deceased is stretched
on his back, his features are convulsed: one may see that he has just
expired. The body is quite naked, the left hand is laid on his breast.
The cenotaph is of black marble. The perfection of this sculpture causes
it to be attributed to the celebrated Jean Goujon. Behind this statue,
there was formerly another of the same personage, he was represented in
the dress of a count, with the collar of Saint-Michael, and a crown on
his head. We now only find the marks of the fixtures which fastened it
to the monument. At each end of the recumbent figure, are two statues of
women in alabaster. Diana of Poitiers in the dress of a widow, with her
arms crossed, is kneeling at the head. At the feet, is that of the
virgin holding the infant Jesus: it was according to general opinion, of
the time of Pommeraye, who speaks of paintings, figures, tapers and
chaplets suspended round the latter statue. There were two inscriptions,
one in prose, the other in verse. Both were erased at the revolution,
but they have been replaced since; the following is a copy of the prose
one:
Loys de Breszé, en son vivant cheualier de l'ordre, premier
Chambellan du Roy, grand Seneschal, Lieutenant-général et
gouverneur pour le dict Sieur, en ses pays et duché de Normendie,
Capitaine de cent gentile hommes de la maison du dict sieur et de
cent hommes d'armes de ses ordonnances, Capitaine de Rouen et de
Caen, Comte de Mauléurier, Baron de Mauny et du Bec-Crespin,
Seigneur Chastellain de Nugent-le-Roy, Ennet, Bréval et Monchauvet.
Après avoir vescu par le cours de nature en ce monde en vertu,
jusques à l'àge de LXXII ans, la mort l'a faiet mettre en ce
tombeau pour retourner viure perpéluellement. Lequel décéda le
dymence XXIIIe jour de juillet de mil vre trente ung. 1531.
A third inscription, which probably had not been perceived in 1793, is
seen at the upper corner of the left side:
_Hoc Lodoice tibi posuit Brezœe sepulchrum,
Pictonis amisso mœsta Diana viro.
Indivulsa libi quondam et fidissima conjux,
Ut fuit in thalamo, sie erit in tumulo_[7].
Some witty people have remarked that the duchess of Valentinois spoke
truly, and that she was as _faithful_ in one case as in the other.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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