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The subject of the article is to present the post-Tridentine community of the Norbertine nuns of Zwierzyniec in Cracow, characterized by a spiritual bond based on common values, beliefs, ideals, and goals. It is argued that the internal life of this community was determined by rules and constitutions, defining tasks and areas of specific activity, adapted to the requirements in force after the Council of Trent. Attention is focused on intra-Community relations expressed in the commonly used “family” nomenclature (prioress, subprioress, circus worker, librarian, sacristan, cellarer, vestiress, guest sister, doorkeeper, mother, spiritual daughter), presented in the manuscript Acts of the splendid Premonstratensian order… The community of Norbertine nuns in Zwierzyniec was based on a spiritual bond, responsibility for each other, duties that were religiously motivated, modeled on the family, and built on the basis of sisterly love and obedience. The reflection also covered the handwritten meditations of Norbertine nuns and printed ascetic and mystical writings from the 17th century, stored in the archives of Zwierzyniec, testifying to the religious fervor of the artists and the need for collective prayer effort of the community.

Cette opération fait suite aux deux diagnostics réalisés en 2008 et 2009 par le pôle archéologique du Département de l’Aisne dans le cadre du réaménagement de l’hôpital de Prémontré. Des solutions techniques permettant une bonne conservation des vestiges ayant été proposées par l’Établissement public de santé mentale départemental de l’Aisne (EPSMDA), maître d’ouvrage du chantier, un suivi de chantier a été prescrit par l’État. Les travaux sont prévus en trois temps jusque courant 2013. La pr...

Stone deterioration is a non-linear process that is difficult to observe in a short period. The current study documents surface changes related to material loss using terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and explains the differences in weathering of lithotypes and different wall orientations of various weathering forms. Ruins of a medieval church constructed from weathering-prone porous limestone were surveyed prior to and after a winter period in a five-month interval with two scan phases. Thirty-five stone surfaces of exposed and sheltered wall sections of different compass orientations were compared to assess the short-term material loss and weathering. The study revealed that more than 30% of the selected surfaces show a major surface retreat of more than 4 mm. Three to nine percent of the scanned areas show countable deterioration. The most significant material loss was recorded at rain exposed but partially wind protected walls facing Northeast. Lithology also controls the surface loss and the rate of weathering. Ooidal porous limestone is the most sensitive lithology to weathering. The minor heterogeneities of the stone ashlar and the co-existence of weathered and seemingly intact areas even within one stone block were also considered. Comparing two time-lapses allows for recognizing even minor surface loss. Scans could be made before and after the weathering threshold, but it cannot be predicted when the threshold is reached.

The article offers the first detailed study of a hitherto underappreciated narrative of the early years of Latin Settlement in Outremer following the First Crusade (1095–99), the Secunda pars historiae Iherosolimitane, often attributed to Lisiard of Tours. Taking inspiration from methodological developments in the field of “Crusade Studies” that have emphasized the narratives relating to this movement as crucial “cultural artifacts” of Latin Christian society, it seeks to demonstrate the valuable light this text sheds on twelfth-century perceptions of the Latin East, the importance of crusading to local identities, reactions to crusading failures, and international monastic networks. After establishing that the Secunda historia should be situated in northeastern France in the early 1150s, and linked in particular to the Premonstratensian order and a church council held at Laon Cathedral in March 1150, it is argued that the text served two key purposes. First, that after the failed Second Crusade (1146–49), efforts to explain defeat necessitated the incorporation of the Latin East’s history, rather than merely the First Crusade (the influence of which hung heavily over contemporary crusade promotion), as a site of divine punishment and reward; and second, that these same narratorial motives were harnessed to validate and promote further crusading.

Moses and his brother Aaron. The discovery of an exceptional cycle of 13th-century wall paintings in Park Abbey’s chapter house The Premonstratensian Park Abbey in Heverlee (Leuven) has already been studied and restored for many years. With each interior intervention, there have been major surprises. In 2017, during ongoing preliminary investigations, the city of Leuven ordered some additional probes for the chapter house, mainly to locate the original access to this room from the cloister. This research soon led to the discovery of painted fragments, which then asked for more extensive studies. Here, the entire original space of the chapter house was involved. Some very fine remains of a unique decor were thus revealed. This discovery offers a completely new dimension to the chapter house of Park Abbey, which is unique in Belgium. The east wing of the cloister, in which the chapter house is located, was built in the same period as the western part of the church, namely the second half of the 13th century. During the 16th century the chapter house was thoroughly rebuilt and redecorated. However, the preliminary investigation showed that there were still considerable fragments of medieval murals on the walls. On the western wall, several biblical figures can be distinguished. Moses with the tablets of the law points to the idolatrous dragon-like devil on a pillar. To his right stands his brother Aaron holding his attribute, a flaming fire. Next to him appears their sister Myriam. A little further north, the bearded man may be one of the Three Kings. These figures point to a cycle evolving from Old to New Testament with Biblical characters as prefigures. Also very beautiful is the preserved architectural polychromy on the Gothic openings between the cloister and the chapter house. On the east wall, among other things, there are some beautiful fragments of painted frames around closed oculi. The painted ensemble, dating from the second half of the 13th century, is designed as a whole, both iconographically and in terms of style and technique. The figures in the upper register are framed with a monumental frieze. In this way, a continuous band with figures was created. The extent of the paintings and the rather good condition in which they have been preserved, make the Park Abbey’s chapter house quite exceptional and unique. In view of the future museum function of the abbey complex, the presentation of these to the public will be of great value.

The church of the Premonstratensian Convent in Kraków is an early brick structure with stone detail, dating to the mid-13th century. One of the most precious elements preserved of the original church is the monumental late-Romanesque portal made of sandstone. In the wake of the accrual of cultural layers outside the church in the following centuries, what used to be the main portal leading into the church found itself sunk in the ground up to half of its height. Additionally, the portal was covered by a baroque tower in the 17th century. That had a highly negative impact on the condition of the portal which currently urgently required undertaking interdisciplinary research and conservation works. The archaeological digs made it possible to uncover the complete portal, while the research aimed at defining the reasons and degree of damage to the stone. The research consisted in petrographic examinations, examination of the structure of decay caused by dampness and salt, and electric conductivity tests of the sandstone. The conclusions from the research provided the foundation for designing and implementing a conservation works strategy to save, preserve, and show this exceptional work to the public.