The First Governess of the Netherlands, Margaret of AustriaTremayne, Eleanor E.
History
The First Governess of the Netherlands, Margaret of Austria
Tremayne, Eleanor E.
Margaret, of Austria, Regent of the Netherlands, 1480-1530; Netherlands -- History -- Charles V, 1506-1555
Margaret of Austria's tomb under the arcade which separates the choir
from the chapel of the Virgin is much larger than the other two. The
princess is represented twice; underneath lies her dead body in the
habit of the Annunciation, her beautiful hair covering her like a
mantle, and her feet bare, showing the wound on the sole of the left
foot which caused her death. Above she lies as though on a state-bed,
wearing her coronet and embroidered robes, her arms folded on her
breast. Four beautiful cherubs bear her armorial ensigns, two at her
head and two at her feet (the work of Thomas Meyt, the brother of
Conrad). Four columns richly moulded spring from the base of the tomb
and support the heavy canopy overhead, around which runs her motto:
'Fortune. Infortune. Fort. Une'; whilst everywhere in the richest
profusion are carved her emblems, marguerites twining round a palm
branch, and the Briquet of Burgundy in the form of a B interlaced with
a St. Andrew's cross resting on three stones.[150] And in the niches
of the pillars figures of Saints and Virgins, marvels of beauty, stand
grouped around, as if guarding her last sleep.
[150] The Briquet was a kind of gun; the cross of Burgundy was
the St. Andrew's cross.
This magnificent monument was the work of many skilled sculptors,
amongst others Jean de Louhans, Jean Rodin, Amé de Picard, and Amé
Carré. Close to Margaret's tomb, behind the altar of the Virgin, is a
beautiful bas-relief deeply cut in white marble, divided into scenes
representing the seven joys of the Virgin Mary, a masterpiece of
carving. In the choir are the original stained-glass windows, happily
uninjured by time. The figures of Philibert and Margaret appear in
their robes of state with their patron saints, and are represented
kneeling and adoring the Saviour. Love-knots and marguerites abound in
the mouldings round the windows.
[Illustration: TOMB OF MARGARET OF AUSTRIA
IN THE CHURCH OF BROU]
In the princess's chapel the stained glass is particularly rich in
colouring, and represents the Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin
by her Divine Son and God the Father. The apostles below stand round
the empty tomb gazing upwards at the glorification of the Mother of
God. In the lower lights Philibert and Margaret, richly dressed, kneel
at their prie-dieus, supported by their patron saints.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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