Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Off the Beaten Path in Centre
Search:

Home » Travel Guides » Europe » France » Centre » Off the Beaten Path

Centre Off the Beaten Path

Death Takes the Bailey (A Most Hated Man) - Centre
Death Takes the Bailey (A Most Hated Man)
by hquittner
Tips and photos of unusual, out-of-the-way Centre attractions, posted by real travelers and locals.
Map
Centre Off the Beaten PathTips 1 - 1 of 1  
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Take a Detour to Meslay-le-Grenet Church
hquittner
  • Updated By hquittner on April 16, 2007
  • Centre Page by hquittner
    • Death Takes the Bailey (A Most Hated Man) - Centre
    Death Takes the Bailey (A Most
    Hated Man)
    by hquittner
    If you are in Chartres or near it with a car do not miss this unusual sight. You may never see even its rough equivalent in your travels. There is no town listing for Meslay in VT and it does not appear in most guide books. Its population is 150. It is on the map about 15 km south of Chartres. The church is 15C and its walls are covered with painted pictures most illustrating the poem of the Danse Macabre (anonymous) of that period (1420). It was a time of War (the 100 years War was just over), Pestilence (the Black Deathof 1348) and a famine was in progress. (the 3 Scourges of the Apocalypse). The arrival of printing led to the production of sardonic satires like the Danse and wide distribution. How in the late 15C it came to be incorporated as a sermon on the frailty of mortal man on the church walls is unrecorded.( Incideentally the baley is a sort of sheriff who was responsible for collecting "land-rents" from the peasants). There are a handful of Danses in churches around Europe and I have seen one other that is not as extensive in France not far off, but this one is the best that exists. I will add further material someday under Off the Beaten Path in my Chartres pages.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Centre?

    Read reviews about Centre Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    1
    More Centre Tips
    Overview
         		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 6
    Things To Do
    Tips: 29 - Photos: 37    		Nightlife
    » Add a tip now
    Transportation
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 0    		Restaurants
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 0
    Shopping
    » Add a tip now    		Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Tourist Traps
    » Add a tip now    		Warnings or Dangers
    » Add a tip now
    Local Customs
    » Add a tip now    		Packing Lists
    » Add a tip now
    Sports Travel
    » Add a tip now    		General Tips
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Best Centre Travel Deals

    Cheap France Flights
    Enjoy France in Fall. Tickets from $399 - Book your Ticket Now!

    Fly From NY to Paris
    Get great deals to Paris. Save with Air France®.

    Paris Vacation Packages
    Outstanding Paris Packages & Deals Book Now & Get Away For Less!

    Paris Studio Apartments
    Holiday Accommodation with Wi-Fi in the 10th District. From €80/night.

    france vacations
    Air inclusive tour packages to your favorite destinations in France.

    Sponsored Links

    More Centre Travel Deals

    French Travel Deal
    Build Your Own Europe Vacation & Save $150/Person.* Limited Time!

    500 Hotels in Paris
    Find your hotel on a city-map All hotels with guest-reviews.

    Europe Travel Packages
    Find the Perfect France Vacation Book before Nov 27th & Save $400!

    Sponsored Links

    Cheap hotels from
    Cheap flights from
    Cheap car rentals from
    Cheap cruises from
    Cheap vacations from




    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.